A recent poll reveals that American national pride is increasingly split along partisan lines despite broad levels of patriotism [1].
These findings highlight a growing ideological divide in how citizens perceive the nation's future and government trust. As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, the data suggests that the meaning of patriotism varies significantly depending on a respondent's political affiliation.
The survey was conducted from June 8 to June 11, 2026, by NPR, PBS, and the Marist Institute for Public Opinion [1]. The study included a nationally representative sample of 1,340 adults [1]. Analysis of the data was provided by Ashley Connan, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest at Rutgers, and Abby Livingston of Puck News [1].
Reports on the data vary regarding the long-term trend of national pride. Some analysis suggests overall levels of national pride have changed little over time [1]. However, other data indicates a steeper decline, noting that 51% of Americans said they are "extremely" or "very" proud to be American in 2026, compared to 82% in 2013 [2].
Specific areas of national identity have also seen a downturn. Pride in the U.S. armed forces has dropped by 19 percentage points since 2017 [3]. Similarly, pride in U.S. history has declined by 14 percentage points over the same period [3].
The researchers focused on how the wording of questions influences answers. The results suggest that while many Americans still identify as proud, their trust in the institutions that define the country, such as the government and the military, is fracturing along party lines [1].
“American national pride is increasingly split along partisan lines”
The contradiction between stable overall pride and declining trust in specific institutions suggests a shift in the nature of American patriotism. Rather than a universal pride in government or history, national identity is becoming more fragmented, where individuals may love the country while simultaneously losing faith in its traditional pillars.
