TY - JOUR
T1 - Media skepticism and reactions to political scandals
T2 - An analysis of the Trump–Ukraine case
AU - Marcos-Marne, Hugo
AU - González-González, Pablo
AU - Gil de Zúñiga, Homero
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2022.
PY - 2023/11
Y1 - 2023/11
N2 - While the discussion on the individual level variables that affect responses to political scandals has focused mainly on variables such as partisan identity or political cynicism, we suggest that media skepticism could also moderate whether and how individuals respond to political scandals. To test this relationship, we rely on panel data from the United States gathered before and after the Trump–Ukraine scandal occurred (Wave 1 in June 2019, Wave 2 in October 2019). Our results show that individuals who rank higher on media skepticism hold comparatively more positive views of Trump after the scandal, even when previous evaluations and alternative explanations are controlled for. Conversely, we find no effect of media skepticism in trust toward the US political system and government. We believe our findings have significant consequences to understanding the relationship between the governed and those governing in times of widespread media skepticism.
AB - While the discussion on the individual level variables that affect responses to political scandals has focused mainly on variables such as partisan identity or political cynicism, we suggest that media skepticism could also moderate whether and how individuals respond to political scandals. To test this relationship, we rely on panel data from the United States gathered before and after the Trump–Ukraine scandal occurred (Wave 1 in June 2019, Wave 2 in October 2019). Our results show that individuals who rank higher on media skepticism hold comparatively more positive views of Trump after the scandal, even when previous evaluations and alternative explanations are controlled for. Conversely, we find no effect of media skepticism in trust toward the US political system and government. We believe our findings have significant consequences to understanding the relationship between the governed and those governing in times of widespread media skepticism.
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U2 - 10.1177/01925121211073005
DO - 10.1177/01925121211073005
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85128654420
SN - 0192-5121
VL - 44
SP - 645
EP - 660
JO - International Political Science Review
JF - International Political Science Review
IS - 5
ER -