News experts with two specialties are trusted more
Core finding
Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from August 12 to 18, 2026. 71.8% of Americans would trust a news expert with two specialties more than one with a single specialty; the hypothetical expert is 55 years old.
An expert with one specialty attracts 28.2%. Both choices describe a 55-year-old expert appearing on national news; the question changes the number of specialties.
Topline distribution
News experts with two specialties are trusted more.
If you were watching national news, which kind of expert would you trust more? For purposes of the question, please assume that the expert is 55 years old.
n = 1,000 · Aug 12–18, 2026 · MoE ±3.2%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Aug 12–18, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.2% |
| Module | AOM Survey #2026-152 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026
If you were watching national news, which kind of expert would you trust more? For purposes of the question, please assume that the expert is 55 years old.
Cite this question
AOM Omnibus, fielded August 12-18, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.