In the context of trust in institutions in the US, public opinion research indicates:
- Low Trust in Both: Both car dealerships and the Supreme Court experience low levels of public trust in the United States.
- Car Dealers and Pricing: A significant majority (76%) of Americans surveyed don't trust car dealerships to be honest about pricing. This distrust persists even though only about a third of Americans have reported experiencing deceptive selling or hidden fees. Concerns about deceptive practices, hidden fees, and feeling pressured are common among consumers.
- Supreme Court Trust at Historic Lows: The Supreme Court's public confidence rating has reached a historic low, with only 25% of Americans reporting "quite a lot" or "a great deal" of confidence in the institution in 2022. This decline is more pronounced among Democrats, with their trust decreasing significantly between 2021 and 2024. Republicans' trust in the court has remained relatively stable or slightly increased during this period.
- Supreme Court Compared to Other Institutions: While the Supreme Court's trust is at a historic low, it's still considered the most trusted among the three branches of government. However, it has seen a greater decline in public confidence compared to many other US institutions between 2020 and 2024.
In summary, while both car dealerships and the Supreme Court face challenges with public trust, the reasons for this distrust differ. Distrust in car dealerships primarily centers on concerns about pricing and potential deception during the sales process. The decline in public confidence in the Supreme Court appears more linked to specific rulings and political polarization.
