The American flag’s colors—red, white, and blue—once symbolized unity and shared purpose. Today, they seem to draw a line in the sand, dividing Americans along sharply partisan lines. As the nation marks another Independence Day, a new poll lays bare an uncomfortable truth: patriotism, once a universal value, is now a wedge issue.
And I bet you can guess where each side lands.
A recent survey by National Research Inc., a respected GOP polling firm, reveals a staggering 91% of self-identified Republicans consider themselves patriots. Contrast that with just 50% of Democrats. The split is even more pronounced among likely voters for the 2024 election: 90% of Trump supporters proudly embrace the patriot label, while only 55% of Kamala Harris backers do the same.
This isn’t merely a partisan divide; it’s an ideological chasm. Among conservatives, 87% claim the mantle of patriotism, compared to just 51% of liberals. The numbers speak for themselves: Pride in America is alive and well on the right, but on the left, it’s in free fall. Honestly, I’m surprised it’s even that high.
Adam Geller, founder of National Research and a veteran of Trump’s 2016 campaign, notes that these results may be fallout from the last election cycle. Still, he insists, “we need a country where people are proud to be American regardless of who the president is.” That’s a sentiment most Americans once took for granted—now, it’s up for debate.
Supporters of President Trump are far more likely to see themselves as patriots than those who rallied behind Kamala, who, since leaving the White House, has faded from the public eye.
Geller’s observations dovetail with broader trends. Gallup’s latest poll shows only 36% of Democrats are “extremely” or “very” proud to be American—a jaw-dropping collapse from 62% in 2020. That’s the lowest figure Gallup has recorded for Democrats in this century. Independents aren’t immune to the malaise either, with just 53% expressing strong pride, down seven points from last year. Meanwhile, Republicans’ pride has surged, climbing seven points to a robust 92%.
The overall picture is bleak. Only 58% of Americans now say they are “extremely” or “very” proud to be American, the lowest in recorded history. For context, in January 2001, that number stood at 87%. After the September 11 attacks, it soared to 91%. The trend is unmistakable: national pride is in retreat, and it’s because too many can’t separate patriotism from partisan politics.
Generationally, the outlook is even more troubling. Gallup finds that just 41% of Generation Z are very or extremely proud to be American. Millennials fare only slightly better at 58%. Generation X comes in at 71%, and Baby Boomers top the list at 75%. The younger the American, the less likely they are to feel a deep connection to their country.
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Geller calls these findings “a surprising and sobering revelation.” As America approaches its 250th birthday in 2026, the country faces not just partisan rancor, but a crisis of identity. “We’ve established that, on average, the left shows about 50% pride in America. But why is this the case? That’s the aspect I am still trying to comprehend,” Geller admits.
Though the answer is obvious, isn’t it? Leftists hate America, and teach the younger generations that America is evil, racist and fascist. And the only time they seem to like the country is when they’re in charge. Back in 2008, Michelle Obama famously said “for the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country.” It was a telling admission because her sense of patriotism was dependent on her husband doing well politically. That wasn’t just a gaffe; it was a window into the left’s warped relationship with America. Her pride in the country wasn’t tied to its founding ideals, its freedoms, or the opportunities it offers—it was tied to political success.
In other words, she only loved America when it gave her what she wanted. That mindset spread like wildfire on the left, where love for country is now treated like a transaction: if they’re in power, they’ll fly the flag; if not, it’s all protests, apologies, and accusations of systemic evil.
