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National pride in America is experiencing a significant decline, with a recent Gallup poll revealing that both Democrats and independents are feeling less prideful than ever. Only 36 percent of Democrats reported being “extremely” or “very” proud to be American, compared to 53 percent of independents.
This downward trend starkly contrasts with Republicans, where a striking 92 percent expressed high levels of pride in the nation. This marked disparity—56 percentage points—represents the widest chasm since 2001, including throughout Donald Trump’s presidency.
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Despite increased levels of pride among Republicans, it isn’t enough to make up for the significant decline seen among Democrats. Overall, only 58 percent of U.S. adults claim to feel prideful, marking a notable decrease compared to the past decade. Independents have hit a new low, with only 53 percent expressing pride in their national identity.
The decline in Democrats’ pride correlates closely with Donald Trump’s presidency. When he assumed office in 2017, about 66 percent of Democrats were proud to be American; that figure plummeted to just 42 percent by 2020, just before Joe Biden’s election.
The erosion of national pride is not a sudden change, but rather a slow decline observed in Gallup’s data since the question was first posed in January 2001. Even during the chaos of the Iraq War, a substantial majority of Americans—regardless of political affiliation—expressed pride in their nation. Approximately 90 percent were “extremely” or “very” proud around the events following the 9/11 attacks, but this consensus has faded over the years.
“It’s not just a Trump story,” noted Jeffrey Jones, a senior editor at Gallup. “Something else is happening, and I believe it’s newer generations joining in who aren’t as patriotic as their predecessors.”
The generational divide is striking. About 40 percent of Gen Z adults (born between 1997 and 2012) report high levels of pride in being American—significantly lower than the approximately 60 percent of Millennials expressing similar sentiments.
“Every generation appears to be less patriotic than the ones before,” Jones explained. “Gen Z is notably lower than any other group, but even older generations display decreasing patriotism over time, primarily among Democrats.”
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Looking at additional recent polling, it becomes evident that Democrats and independents are generally more hesitant than Republicans to view patriotism as an important virtue or to find pride in national leadership. A 2024 SSRS poll found that nearly 90 percent of Republicans believed that patriotism positively impacts the United States. In contrast, only 45 percent of Democrats shared this view, with 37 percent expressing a negative opinion of patriotism’s effects.
This general sentiment of discontent is mirrored across the political spectrum. A CNN/SSRS poll conducted earlier this year revealed that fewer than one in ten respondents from both parties identified as “proud” of the current political climate in America. Most expressed feelings of disappointment or frustration with the country’s political state.
