US Pride Falls to 53% as Confidence in Democracy Drops to 28%
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 29
US Pride Falls to 53% as Confidence in Democracy Drops to 28%
2 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 29
Summary
53% of U.S. adults say they are extremely or very proud to be American, Gallup found, the lowest reading since 2001; an AP-NORC poll also showed record-low pride in U.S. history and democracy.
28% say the way U.S. democracy works makes them proud, down 14 points from 42% in 2017, while pride in the armed forces fell 19 points and pride in U.S. history dropped 14 points.
Democrats drove much of the decline: only 14% say they are extremely proud to be American, versus 28% of independents and 70% of Republicans.
Identity still anchors many views, with about three-quarters of adults 60 and older calling being American highly important to who they are, compared with about one-third of adults under 30.
The April survey of 2,596 adults points to a decade-long erosion in patriotic sentiment shaped by polarization, Trump-era politics, the pandemic and inflation, even as many respondents still say being American remains central to their identity.
Why do most Americans value their national identity even as pride in the country’s systems sharply declines?
With traditional patriotism declining, what new forms of civic identity and engagement are emerging across the nation?
Can a nation find unity by confronting its complex history, or does this process inevitably lead to more division?
American National Pride and Democratic Confidence Hit Record Lows in 2026: Causes, Divides, and Paths to Renewal
Overview
As of mid-2026, the United States faces record lows in national pride and a sharp decline in confidence in its democratic institutions. Recent polls show that many Americans feel only moderately or slightly proud of their country, reflecting deep divisions and growing concerns about the nation’s future. These challenges are intensified by strong partisan divides, with Republicans and Democrats holding very different views about the country’s direction. Worries about the health of American democracy are at an all-time high, highlighting a profound crisis of trust and unity across the nation.