A new Gallup survey released this week found that only 17% of American adults reported being "very proud" to be an American in 2025, the lowest mark recorded in the polling firm's 25-year patriotism tracking. The figure represents less than one in five U.S. adults expressing strong national pride.
The poll also revealed stark partisan divisions in patriotic sentiment. Among Republicans, 92% expressed a great deal of national pride, while only 36% of Democrats reported feeling "very proud" of the country — down from 62% the previous year. Independents hit their own low point at 53%, a seven-point decline from 2024.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics of the framing argue that patriotism and honest examination of history can coexist. Many Democrats have maintained that acknowledging the country's past failures, including slavery and systemic racism, represents a form of constructive love for the nation rather than disloyalty to it.
Democratic lawmakers have pointed to polling showing strong majorities across party lines support core American ideals like democracy, opportunity, and equal rights — arguing these indicators better measure national unity than flag-waving metrics. Some progressive commentators have suggested that patriotism surveys may capture displays of nationalism more than actual civic commitment.
The party's base has increasingly embraced what leaders describe as a "more perfect union" narrative — one that acknowledges flaws while working to address them rather than simply celebrating past achievements uncritically.
What the Right Is Saying
Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., delivered a floor speech criticizing Democratic Party leadership over the polling results. She argued that recent efforts to reinterpret American history have diminished civic pride.
"Our excitement for America has been dimmed by accusations of an unacceptable morality, our self-image tarnished by a novel self-flagellation," Hageman said in remarks prepared for delivery. "We must stop pretending that America is just an idea, or that we have no shared culture worth fighting for."
Hageman specifically criticized what she called the "1619 narrative" — referencing efforts to elevate 1619 as America's true founding date when the first enslaved Africans arrived — arguing it represents an attempt to reframe national identity in negative terms. She suggested these trends are "tear our society apart," though this phrase appeared in her prepared remarks rather than a direct quote from polling data.
The Wyoming Republican expressed optimism that upcoming celebrations around America's 250th anniversary could reverse the trend, stating she believes recent festivities have begun inspiring renewed national purpose.
What the Numbers Show
According to Gallup's 2025 findings: overall "very proud" sentiment stands at 17%, down significantly from previous measurements. The partisan breakdown shows Republicans at 92% "very proud," Democrats at 36%, and Independents at 53%. Among all groups, these represent either record lows or near-record lows for the respective categories.
The poll found that only 27% of Democrats planned to display an American flag on July 4, compared to much higher rates among Republican respondents. Historical Gallup data shows patriotism levels have fluctuated over two decades, with peaks during post-9/11 periods and recent declines reaching new nadirs across multiple demographic groups.
When asked about American exceptionalism — whether the U.S. stands above other nations — support has also declined, with majorities in some surveys indicating Americans do not believe their country is superior to all others.
The Bottom Line
The Gallup data presents a challenge for both parties heading into election cycles. Republicans point to the figures as evidence that Democratic-led cultural movements have eroded national unity, while Democrats argue alternative metrics better capture American values. The partisan gap of 56 percentage points between GOP and Democratic patriotic sentiment represents one of the largest divisions recorded on any major political survey question.
What remains unclear from available polling is whether these trends reflect permanent shifts in American identity or responses to current political conditions. Historians note that patriotism measurements have fluctuated throughout Gallup's tracking period, often correlating with national events and economic conditions rather than ideological movements alone. Both parties are likely to use the data in their respective messaging strategies ahead of midterm elections.