56% of Americans Fear Corporate Involvement in Government Threatens Democracy

The growing presence of private sector leaders in federal decision-making fuels public concern. A new survey reveals that 56% of Americans believe corporate involvement in government directly threatens democracy, while 65% support stricter regulations to limit private sector influence.

As business magnates like Elon Musk and others play increasingly prominent roles in shaping government policies, Americans question the balance between corporate power and democratic integrity. Below, we summarize key findings from the Corporate Influence on Government Policies survey and explore what they mean for governance, transparency, and the workforce.

Key findings:

• 56% believe corporate involvement in government threatens democracy.
• 65% support stricter regulations on private sector influence in governmental affairs.
• 48% feel very uncomfortable with private sector leaders influencing government policies.
• 42% say corporate involvement significantly decreases public trust in government.
• 44% completely distrust corporate leaders managing government-related initiatives.
• 48% worry about job cuts and instability in federal agencies.

Corporate Power and Public Trust: A Growing Divide

Despite the expanding role of business leaders in governance, public trust remains low:

• 42% say corporate influence reduces trust in government, while only 9% believe it increases trust.
• 43% do not trust business leaders overseeing government-related initiatives.
• 40% worry that private sector involvement reduces government transparency.
• 33% see some benefit in public-private collaborations, but concerns remain about corporate overreach.

Here is a visual representation of key findings from above:

What this means: The widening gap in public trust suggests that while some Americans recognize potential benefits in corporate-government partnerships, many fear that unchecked corporate influence could undermine democratic processes and transparency.

Federal Workforce Restructuring Sparks Widespread Concern

Corporate-backed federal workforce restructuring efforts have intensified job security fears, labor rights, and corporate favoritism:

• 48% worry about job cuts and instability in federal agencies.
• 53% believe restructuring favors corporate interests over public needs.
• 42% fear the erosion of worker protections.
• 57% say restructuring will not improve government efficiency.
• 39% are very opposed to these restructuring efforts, while only 22% are somewhat supportive.
• 47% lack confidence in corporate leaders managing federal agencies.

What this means: The push for restructuring federal agencies through corporate-backed initiatives is seen as prioritizing business interests over public service, leaving many workers worried about job security and fair labor practices.

Public Divided on Corporate-Government Collaborations

While some Americans see benefits in public-private partnerships, skepticism remains high:

• 53% worry that government restructuring prioritizes corporate interests over public needs.
• 53% fear that power is becoming too concentrated in the hands of billionaires.
• 30% cite concerns over technological overreach and increased surveillance.

What this means: The growing influence of wealthy business leaders in government has fueled concerns about the consolidation of power and potential overreach, particularly in areas like technology and privacy.

The Path Forward: Calls for Transparency and Accountability

With skepticism mounting, Americans are advocating for stronger oversight and regulation:

• 65% support stricter regulations to limit private sector influence in government.
• 53% worry corporate interests are taking priority over public needs.
• 42% say corporate involvement significantly decreases trust in government.

See this graphic for a visual representation of the data from above:

What this means: Americans are demanding more transparency and accountability in corporate-government interactions, emphasizing the need for policies that limit private sector influence while ensuring fair and democratic governance.

The findings from MyPerfectResume’s survey underscore deep public concerns about the growing role of corporate leaders in government decision-making. Explore our recent survey on free speech in the workplace for additional insights. 

While some recognize the potential benefits of public-private partnerships, a majority worry about the erosion of democratic values, job security in federal agencies, and the prioritization of corporate interests over public needs, such as DEI rollbacks that risk negatively impacting workplace culture. 

With 65% of Americans calling for stricter regulations, it’s clear that there is a strong push for greater transparency and accountability. Whether policymakers will respond to these concerns remains to be seen.

For press inquiries, contact Nathan Barber at nathan.barber@bold.com.

Survey methodology

The findings in this report are based on a nationwide survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted on March 7, 2025, via Pollfish.

The survey included a mix of multiple-choice, scale-based, and open-ended questions designed to assess public perceptions of corporate influence in government, workforce restructuring, and trust in private sector leadership.

Respondents were asked about their comfort levels, trust in corporate leaders, concerns about government transparency, and views on corporate-government collaborations.

The sample was balanced to reflect demographic diversity across key factors, including age, gender, and employment status.

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