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

American Public Square is honored to host the Second Annual Bridging Movement Summit in Kansas City from September 23–25, 2026 with the Listen First Coalition. 

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.

Mike Abrams is the deputy editor for Trust at The New York Times, leading a team that helps readers better understand the organization’s journalism and values. While at The Times, Mike has also been a deputy editor on the Standards team and was the director of journalism practices and principles. He has been an editor at The Times since 2004. Before joining The Times, Mike was an award-winning reporter and editor at newspapers in Virginia and Pennsylvania. He is a 1994 graduate of Penn State University, where he was a four-year member of The Daily Collegian student newspaper and served as editor in chief in 1993-94. Mike and his wife, Rebecca, met while working at The Collegian. They live in New Jersey and have two kids – one in college, one a recent graduate – and a clingy dog.