# News experts with two specialties are trusted more

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/news-experts-with-two-specialties-are-trusted-more/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

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

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.

News experts with two specialties are trusted more.

- A person with two disciplinary areas of expertise: 71.8%
- A person with one disciplinary area of expertise: 28.2%

## 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: 2026-08-12 → 2026-08-18
- 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

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-21](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-21)

## Citation

AOM Omnibus, fielded August 12-18, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-21](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-21)