A new USA Today poll about patriotism, pegged to this week’s celebration of Independence Day, finds an overwhelming majority of those surveyed say they are proud to be Americans.
But they split almost down the middle, 42% to 39%, when asked whether they are proud of America right now.
This year, a holiday that’s designed as a moment of national unity also underscores the country’s deep divisions and the broad dissatisfaction with its government.
A long-term trend toward partisanship and the super-heated presidency of Donald Trump have sharpened a debate over what defines America and what it means to be patriotic.
In the survey, most say they are proud to be Americans, although Republicans feel that way more strongly (90%) than Democrats (61%). There is no consensus when asked about the country’s current course, though: 71% of Republicans but just 22% of Democrats said they are proud of America right now.
The poll of 1,004 adults, taken online June 26-27, has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
