Eight-in-ten Americans say the country's real leaders are likely unknown
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted April 9 to 15, 2025, 79% of Americans said it is at least somewhat likely that the people who really run the country are not known to voters. This includes 18% who said extremely likely, 27% who said very likely, and 34% who said somewhat likely.
About one in five said this is unlikely (21%), with 15% who said not too likely and 6% who said not at all likely.
Topline scale
79% of Americans say the country's real leaders are likely unknown to voters.
How likely is it that the people who really run the country are not known to the voters?
n = 1,000 · Apr 9–15, 2025 · MoE ±3.5%
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 | Apr 9–15, 2025 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.5% |
| Module | policy |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- verasight-mpsa-2025.tiiny.co
How likely is it that the people who really run the country are not known to the voters?
Cite this question
Verasight MPSA Omnibus Survey #2025-026, fielded April 9-15, 2025, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.