Americans across the country are grappling with acute fatigue from political news following the recent presidential election, as expressed by increased disengagement and declining television ratings.
A survey conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals about two-thirds of American adults have felt the need to limit their exposure to political news. This trend is evident among various demographic groups, with around 72% of Democrats, 63% of Independents, and 59% of Republicans stating they need to take breaks from the political narrative dominating headlines.
Ziad Aunallah, 45, from San Diego, emphasizes the sentiment shared by many: “People are mentally exhausted. Everyone knows what is coming and we are just taking some time off.” His thoughts reflect broader frustrations with the inundation of political discourse following the election.
Sam Gude, 47, from Lincoln, Nebraska, also shared his experience: “The last thing I want to watch right now is the interregnum,” highlighting how he, like others, is stepping back from the relentless coverage of President-elect Donald Trump.
The steep decline in television viewership corroborates these sentiments. Nielsen reports show MSNBC’s prime-time viewership plummeted by 54% post-election, averaging just 620,000 viewers. Meanwhile, CNN suffered similar losses, with ratings dipping 45%. Conversely, Fox News, often labeled as the preferred choice for Trump supporters, has seen its ratings rise 13%, with 2.68 million viewers tuning in.
Historical patterns suggest this disengagement is not completely without precedent. There is often a pattern of viewers tuning out after elections, especially those aligned with losing candidates. MSNBC faced similar issues after Trump’s 2016 victory when liberals sought alternative news outlets. The pre-election excitement dissipated post-results, leaving these networks to fend off viewership losses.
The poll indicates the weariness extends beyond mere numbers; many Americans want news coverage to pivot from endless discussion of Trump. While political interest cycles with the change of administration, the survey reveals desires for more substantive news. Kathleen Kendrick, 36, from Colorado, articulated this feeling, saying, “You get a story but only part of a story.” She and others are turning away from news networks perceived as concentrated on ideology rather than providing balanced information.
Experts suggest various avenues for news stations to regain lost audiences. Viewers urge networks like MSNBC to shift their focus onto broader issues rather than continuously discussing Trump. “Then you have to talk about issues, and you have to stop talking about Trump,” Gude advises, urging for depth and diversity of content.
Meanwhile, the challenge of creating compelling political news is compounded by the rapid advancement of digital media, as content consumption moves online. Many individuals now seek news through platforms like YouTube, hoping for more engaging presentations than traditional cable news offers.
The AP-NORC poll was extensive, surveying 1,251 individuals between December 5 and December 9, 2024, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points, providing insight not only on viewership but on the collective mood surrounding political discourse.
Despite the current slump, there remains hope for networks like MSNBC and CNN. Historically, ratings tend to rebound when new administrations take office, as disenfranchised viewers often seek out news to gauge how the new leadership impacts policies.
Though tumultuous, the inevitable return of political engagement may hinge on how networks adapt their approaches and address the demand for more comprehensive, issue-focused reporting. Aunallah offers his perspective, clearly indicating, “I’ll be tuning back in once the clown show starts.”
