Turning Down the Heat: Rebuilding Trust in an Age of Outrage

An American Public Square Signature event examining trust-building to kick off the Second Annual Bridging Movement Summit Doors open at 5:30 PM and the program will begin at 6 PM. Trust is the foundation of a healthy democracy. Yet trust in our institutions, media, communities, and even one another has fallen to historic lows. How did we arrive at this moment? Who—or what—is responsible for the growing distrust that shapes American life? And most importantly, what can we do to rebuild it? As the opening Signature Event of the 2026 Bridging Movement Summit, this timely conversation will bring together leading democracy experts, journalists, scholars, and civic leaders to examine the roots of America’s trust crisis. From political polarization and misinformation to social isolation and institutional failures, panelists will explore the forces driving the erosion of public trust and confidence. They will also highlight promising solutions and innovative approaches for rebuilding trust across differences, strengthening civic relationships, and renewing the foundations of self-government in America.