Jimmy Fallon has overtaken Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert as the most trusted host in late night, according to a new survey.
The Hollywood Reporter and Morning Consult have released updated polling on America’s trust in television personalities, following up on a 2024 survey. The new results show a reshuffling among late-night hosts, with Fallon now ranked at the top.
Respondents were asked how much they trust a range of anchors and hosts, with choices ranging from “a lot” to “not at all.” In 2024, Stewart and Colbert tied for the lead among late-night personalities. This year, Fallon placed first with 56% of respondents saying they trust him “a lot” or “some.” While that’s slightly below Stewart and Colbert’s 57% last year, both fell in this round, giving Fallon the edge. Another 32% said they distrusted Fallon, while 12% were unsure.
Stewart followed closely at 54%, while Greg Gutfeld climbed two points to 53%, tying controversial podcaster Joe Rogan in overall trust levels.
Trailing just behind: Jimmy Kimmel (52%), John Oliver (51%), and Colbert (50%). Seth Meyers landed last among late-night hosts at 46% — though he also drew the highest number of “don’t know/no opinion” responses at 20%.
In terms of intensity, Fallon again led with the largest share of “a lot” responses (25%), followed by Colbert, Oliver, Gutfeld, and Stewart, each at 23%.
On the flip side, Colbert recorded the steepest drop year-over-year, sliding seven points, topping the list of most distrusted late-night hosts at 36%. Kimmel (35%) and Meyers (34%) rounded out the top three in that category.
Even so, most late-night hosts continue to score ahead of several prominent news figures. Everyone except Meyers ranked above Fox News’ Sean Hannity (49%), CBS News’ John Dickerson (48%), and CBS News’ Gayle King (47%).
At the very top of the poll overall were familiar names outside late night: Al Roker (66%), David Muir (63%), Robin Roberts (62%), and Anderson Cooper (60%). At the bottom were NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo (36%), MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough (37%), and PBS/Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg (38%).
Wow, that’s pretty fucked up in the head!
Look, I’m not a Fallon hater and don’t wish him any malice, but it really says a lot about our society (in the US at least ) that the “Most trusted TV personality” is just another title for “Most trusted person to willfully enable escapism from reality”
And Fallon unfortunately fulfills that purpose~ If only he could can much subtler ways to be truthful without have to take political leanings. Conan was able to make it work, so why not Fallon? (Besides the whole authenticity thing that still needs reworking)
Hilarious that the most trusted media personality is a weatherman.
I have always had extreme admiration for Jay Fall, ever since his snl body of work & his efforts to stay relevant with the “Roots” as his showcase band.
However, if there was ever a Supreme Sycophant or individual that excessively fawns over their guest it would without debate be Mr. J Fallon.
Nevertheless, a man gotta make that cheddar