Leadership Now Project’s Survey Finds 84% of Business Leaders Worried About Political and Legal Climate’s Effect on Their Companies
Washington, D.C., – On the eve of the Trump administration’s 100-day mark, a new poll from Leadership Now Project and The Harris Poll reveals mounting concerns among U.S. business leaders about the country’s global competitiveness. With increasing regulatory uncertainty and disruptive policy shifts, executives are expressing concern about the weakening of the U.S. brand, a decline in economic strength, and a reduction in global standing. Notably, a clear majority, 84% of senior business leaders express concern over the current political and legal environment’s impact on their business. Concern is similarly high among both conservatives and liberals, slightly lower among moderates.
The survey results illustrate how business leaders are navigating today’s political and legal environment, including recent Executive Orders, policy shifts on tariffs, regulatory changes, and potential personnel changes. It also gauges their willingness to publicly address government policies, revealing concerns about political retribution, reputational risks, and even threats to personal safety.
Conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Leadership Now Project from April 21–24, 2025, the online poll surveyed over 300 senior business leaders (director-level and above) across a range of company sizes. Other key findings from the polling include:
A majority (84%) of business leaders are very or somewhat concerned about the impact of the current political and legal climate on their business.
Business leaders across the political spectrum are concerned: Regardless of political party (92% Democrats, 81% Republicans, 82% Independents) or political philosophy (91% Liberal, 79% Conservative, 84% Moderate), majorities of business leaders are very or somewhat concerned about the political and legal climate’s impact on business.
Nearly half (45%) of business leaders say recent Executive Orders and policies have negatively affected their business’s competitiveness.
"Business leaders across the political spectrum are deeply concerned that the current political climate is putting America’s economic competitiveness and global standing at risk,” said Daniella Ballou-Aares, CEO of the Leadership Now Project. “The instability created by disruptive policy shifts, executive actions, and regulatory uncertainty threatens the conditions that have made the United States a global economic leader. Business leaders understand that protecting our economic strength and upholding rule of law are inseparable priorities. We must work together—across industries and political affiliations—to protect the foundations that allow businesses and our country to thrive.”
These findings reinforce a core principle that guides Leadership Now Project’s work: a stable and predictable business environment depends on a strong rule of law. When legal protections are undermined and political structures weaken, the economic risks for companies—and for the country—grow exponentially. Protecting the rule of law is essential to safeguarding American competitiveness.
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About Leadership Now Project
Leadership Now Project is a membership organization of business leaders committed to protecting democracy as a foundation for a thriving economy and political stability. We take action—investing in leaders, influencing policy, responding to risks, and partnering to drive solutions.
Founded in 2017, today Leadership Now has members in 25+ states and chapters in 8, and collaborates with faculty at more than a dozen colleges and universities. Learn more at www.leadershipnowproject.org.
About the Survey
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Leadership Now Project from April 21-24, 2025, among 308 U.S. adults aged 21+ who are employed (full-time, part-time, or self-employed), as a director or higher (including VP and C-suite), across a range of company sizes (referred to as “senior business leaders”). The sampling precision of online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the full sample data is accurate to within +/- 5.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Kathy Steinberg at The Harris Poll or Susan McPherson for Leadership Now Project.
Media Contacts:
For Leadership Now Project: Susan McPherson, McPLNP@mcpstrategies.com
For The Harris Poll: Kathy Steinberg, kathy.steinberg@harrispoll.com