A new poll from the nonpartisan research organization PRRI finds that 51% of Americans describe themselves as either "extremely proud" or "very proud" of being American, marking a significant decline from similar surveys conducted over the past decade. The survey was conducted May 1-18 among 5,469 adults and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 1.53 percentage points.
The findings come ahead of America's 250th anniversary, set for July 4, 2026. In June 2013, 81% of respondents reported being "extremely proud" or "very proud" of their American identity in PRRI polling, representing a 30-point decrease over approximately 13 years. The current survey shows 23% describing themselves as "moderately proud," 14% saying they are "only a little proud," and 11% indicating they are "not at all proud" of their American identity.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators have characterized the decline as troubling, with some attributing it to cultural forces they argue undermine appreciation for American history and institutions. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas wrote that "a nation that loses pride in itself struggles to defend itself." The senator has repeatedly called for renewed emphasis on civic education in schools.
The Heritage Foundation's 2026 Index of Culture and Policy found that media coverage emphasizing negative aspects of American history correlates with declining enthusiasm among younger respondents. Think tank researchers argued that curriculum changes in K-12 education have contributed to what they describe as a "systematic denigration" of national achievements.
Fox News host Jesse Watters said on his program that the poll results reflect "a decade of anti-American indoctrination." Watters pointed to university campuses and entertainment media as contributing factors. The hosts argued that celebrating American exceptionalism should be encouraged rather than viewed skeptically by citizens.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive commentators have pointed to the decline in national pride as reflecting broader concerns about the country's direction on issues such as healthcare, economic inequality, and democratic institutions. Some progressive voices argue that decreasing pride represents a rational response to policy failures rather than a cause for alarm.
Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland wrote in a recent statement that "patriotism means demanding our country live up to its founding ideals." The congressman argued that citizens expressing skepticism toward national institutions are engaging in a form of civic engagement, not disloyalty. "True patriots question power," Raskin said.
Progressive advocacy groups have similarly framed the data as reflecting legitimate public dissatisfaction with elected officials and policy outcomes rather than anti-American sentiment. A spokesperson for Common Cause noted that polling on institutional trust has declined across partisan lines, suggesting the trend reflects broader erosion of confidence in government rather than targeted criticism of American values themselves.
What the Numbers Show
The PRRI data represents a 30-point drop in the combined "extremely proud" and "very proud" categories since 2013, when those responses totaled 81%. Breaking down the change: the "moderately proud" category rose from 12% to 23%, while those saying they are "only a little proud" increased from 3% to 14%, and "not at all proud" grew from 1% to 11%.
The polling comes amid historically low approval ratings for President Donald Trump, who took office in January 2025. Decision Desk HQ's polling average as of Wednesday showed Trump's approval rating at 40.5% with a disapproval rating of 56.7%, numbers that have remained relatively stable over the past several months.
Institutional trust surveys from Gallup show Congress maintaining approval ratings below 20% for most of the past decade, while Pew Research Center data indicates that confidence in the federal government remains near historic lows across demographic groups. The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that only 22% of Americans say they trust the government in Washington "always or most of the time."
The PRRI survey was conducted online and by telephone, with respondents recruited through random digit dialing and panel-based sampling. The organization describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan research outfit focused on religion, values, and public life.
The Bottom Line
The poll captures a significant shift in how Americans describe their relationship to national identity at a symbolic moment for the country. With America approaching its 250th anniversary, the survey suggests that large segments of the population are expressing more conditional or skeptical views toward American pride compared to previous generations.
Researchers have attributed the decline to multiple factors: heightened political polarization, high-profile incidents of political violence since 2020, eroding trust in institutions, and what some analysts describe as increasingly heated rhetorical battles over national values and history. The poll does not identify a single cause for the shift.
The data may inform debates about civic education, national celebrations, and how political leaders discuss American identity heading into future election cycles. Both progressive and conservative commentators have pointed to the findings as evidence supporting their respective critiques of current cultural and political conditions. Researchers note that similar declines in national pride have been observed in other Western democracies during the same period, suggesting some common factors beyond domestic politics may be at play.