Federal agency accounts on X are receiving far more audience engagement in the second Trump term than during the final year of the Biden administration, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis. The study examined interactions across dozens of official government handles.
The shift in engagement levels highlights how changes in administration can reshape the public's online interaction with federal institutions. Pew's data suggests that the tone, frequency, or content strategy of agency posts may be driving this increased activity.
Pew Research did not disclose specific percentages or raw interaction counts in its analysis. The finding is based on a comparison of engagement metrics during comparable periods under both presidencies.
It remains unclear whether the surge reflects genuine public enthusiasm, coordinated campaigns, or algorithm changes on the platform itself. The analysis does not specify which agencies saw the largest increases or whether engagement includes likes, shares, or replies.
Some critics caution that higher engagement may not indicate broader support or trust in federal messaging, as interactions can include critical or adversarial responses as well.