A significantly higher percentage of Republicans say they are “extremely proud” to be American compared to Democrats and independents, according to survey results released just two days before Independence Day.
The Gallup poll, which surveyed U.S. adults from June 3-23, shows that 59% of Republicans say they are “extremely proud” of their national identity, which remains near record-low numbers. Only 34% of Democrats and 36% of independents said the same, which is up slightly from last year for both demographics, according to Gallup.
The gap between Republicans and Democrats in expressing pride in America has closed in the past five years. Republicans’ pride in their country has dropped from 76% to 59%, while Democrats’ pride in America has risen from 22% in 2019 to 34% in 2024. The Gallup results show that that gap began to close toward the end of former President Donald Trump’s term in office and throughout President Joe Biden’s first term.
A majority of U.S. adults (67%) are extremely or very proud to be an American.
Republicans are uniquely patriotic, with 59% versus 36% of independents and 34% of Democrats reporting they are extremely proud to be American.
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— Gallup (@Gallup) July 4, 2024
Gallup’s latest survey results show a stark contrast in how Republicans, Democrats, and independents felt about being American 20 years ago. In 2004, 82% of Republicans, 65% of independents, and 60% of Democrats said they were “extremely proud” to be American. Republicans have maintained a higher sense of pride in their national identity than Democrats and independents since the turn of the century.
“Americans’ national pride was highest after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, when patriotism surged in the U.S.,” Gallup wrote. “Extreme pride has been trending downward since 2015.”
“While the percentage of U.S. adults who say they are extremely proud to be American is near the lowest point on record, about two-thirds continue to be at least very proud,” Gallup added. “Republicans’ national pride, though near its lowest point, remains high compared with Democrats’ and independents’, although all party groups are significantly less proud than they were 20 years ago.”
According to the survey, 18% of U.S. adults say they are “moderately proud” to be American, 10% say they are “only a little” proud, and 5% say they are “not at all” proud.
Another Gallup survey taken over the same time period showed that Americans have an overall negative view of the current economic conditions. Forty-eight percent of respondents said economic conditions in the U.S. are “poor,” 28% said they are “only fair,” and only 25% said they are “excellent/good.” Nearly 70% of Americans said they believe the economy is “getting worse,” and 26% said it’s “getting better.”
25% of Americans describe current U.S. economic conditions as “excellent” or “good,” up three points from May.
However, the percentage rating conditions “poor,” now 48%, also increased slightly, blunting positive movement in the index
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— Gallup (@Gallup) July 3, 2024