The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer shows that grievance has evolved into insularity, with people increasingly withdrawing into social, ideological, and informational bubbles. Seven in ten respondents globally report being unwilling or hesitant to trust someone with different values, views on social issues, backgrounds, or sources of information. Insularity is most pronounced in developed markets, including Japan (90%) and Germany (81%). Levels are also above the global average in the UK (76%) and