Pulse Survey Finds Visibility Gap Is Biggest Risk for Corporate Engagement.

May 6, 2026 | WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new Public Affairs Council/Morning Consult poll finds that while Americans expect businesses to engage on policy issues, many (42%) are not seeing or hearing how companies are responding. The findings also reveal bipartisan agreement on climate commitments and underscore opportunities for businesses to engage more effectively across issues when they frame their positions in terms of economic impact.  

Findings from the first 2026 Pulse Survey highlight a gap between public expectations and awareness of corporate engagement: 

Key Findings 

• Visibility gap is the biggest risk: Just 39% of Americans say they are aware of corporate responses to policy changes, while 42% say they have not heard anything, suggesting companies risk being overlooked rather than criticized.  

• Corporate engagement is expected: More Americans say businesses have a right and responsibility to speak out (43%) than say it is overreach (30%).  

• Speaking out is not as risky as assumed: 40% of adults say businesses have a responsibility to speak out when they disagree with major policy changes, while just 16% endorse actively supporting the Trump administration.  

• Economic framing drives support: Positioning engagement around economic impact attracts bipartisan support and reduces skepticism, even on complex or sensitive issues. 

• Climate policy shows bipartisan alignment: 56% of Americans say businesses should maintain their climate commitments, including majorities of both Republicans (54%) and Democrats (66%), highlighting the importance of maintaining and clearly communicating those commitments. 

• Opportunity to expand engagement on economic issues: 50% of Americans say recent foreign policy shifts are making global business conditions harder, and many want clearer communication about impacts on jobs, prices and business operations.  

• Risk varies by issue—but can be managed: Tariffs and foreign conflicts represent some of the safest areas for engagement, while social and workplace policy and immigration issues carry more risk. Skepticism declines on the riskier issues, however, when businesses frame engagement around economic impact. 

Overall, the findings show that businesses should not avoid engagement, as the greater risk may be staying silent. Companies should approach engagement strategically, with clear and visible communication grounded in economic impact. The findings reinforce that awareness, not opposition, is the primary barrier, and that how businesses communicate their engagement matters most. Public uncertainty highlights an opportunity for companies to communicate more clearly. Success depends on being visible, economically grounded and strategically selective. 

“These findings reinforce that corporate engagement is not only expected, but valued when done thoughtfully,” said Public Affairs Council President and CEO Nneka Chiazor. “For public affairs leaders, the question is not whether to engage, but how to do so effectively in a complex and fast-moving environment.” 

View the full report

Survey Methodology
This poll was conducted March 26–28, 2026, among a sample of 2,202 adults by Morning Consult on behalf of the Public Affairs Council. The survey was conducted online, and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of U.S. adults based on gender, age, race, educational attainment, region, gender by age and race by educational attainment. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. 

About the Public Affairs Council 

Both nonpartisan and nonpolitical, the Public Affairs Council is the leading global association for public affairs professionals. The Council’s mission is to advance the field of public affairs and to provide its 750 member companies, nonprofits and universities with the executive education and expertise they need while maintaining the highest ethical standards. Learn more at pac.org.