Staff Reports
Gallup released a new national poll this week showing American pride at a record low. Only about one‑third of adults say they are “extremely proud” to be American, and just over half report high pride when you add those who are “very proud.” That drop is not small. Gallup says it is the lowest reading in its 25‑year trend and one of the biggest single‑year falls the firm has seen.
What Gallup found
Key numbers from the poll
The poll — based on telephone interviews of 1,001 adults in early June with a margin of error of about ±4 percentage points — found 33% say they are “extremely proud” and 20% say they are “very proud,” for a combined high‑pride total of roughly 53%. The partisan split is huge. About 93% of Republicans express high pride, while just 27% of Democrats and 51% of independents do. On the “extremely proud” measure specifically, 70% of Republicans report extreme pride versus 14% of Democrats and 28% of independents. Gallup also notes big year‑over‑year declines among women, adults 18–34, people of color, and those without college degrees.
Why this collapse matters
Pride in country is not just a warm feeling. It binds people to shared purpose and trust in institutions. When half the nation says it is not proud, civic cohesion frays. This Gallup result lines up with other recent surveys showing falling pride in U.S. history and in the way our democracy works. That trend matters more than the pundit class wants to admit. If Americans stop being proud, they stop defending what made this country strong.
Who lost pride — and who kept it
The declines are not spread evenly. Young adults, women, and many people of color registered the steepest drops. That should surprise no one. For years, schools, media, and many cultural institutions have taught a running critique of America as the main story. That message found fertile ground in a generation that grew up hearing national guilt more than national gratitude. On the other side, patriotic institutions and military support remain anchors for conservatives and many Republicans, which helps explain the huge partisan gap.
How to restore pride — a blunt prescription
If we want to rebuild national pride, we need plain answers, not more handwringing. Teach civics and American history honestly, but honestly include the successes and the lessons learned. Celebrate the military, first responders, innovators, and local communities that still make America work. Push back against the idea that patriotism is partisan. And stop hiring the people who treat the flag like a problem to be solved. Call it what it is: for too long the cultural elite have sold a national guilt tour. If conservatives want to win back hearts and minds, we should offer a clear alternative — one that reminds people why this country deserves pride as well as critique.
