The fireworks are ready. The barbecues are planned. Red, white, and blue decorations hang from porches across America. But beneath the festive surface of our nation’s birthday celebration lurks a troubling reality about how Americans really feel about their country. As families prepare to gather for parades and cookouts, a deeper question emerges – what exactly are we celebrating?

What unites us as Americans has always been more than just geography. It’s a shared set of ideals, a common story, and pride in our nation’s achievements. Yet as we approach another Independence Day, new data suggests that this foundation is cracking along political lines in ways that might surprise you.

Patriotism Plummets Among Democrats

A recent Gallup poll reveals a startling trend: American patriotism has hit a record low, with only 58% of adults saying they’re proud to be American. The most shocking finding? Democratic pride in America has collapsed from 62% to just 36% in the first year of President Trump’s second term.

From ‘Breitbart News’:

Patriotism has collapsed among Democrats in the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, dragging down the national figure and more than offsetting an increase in patriotism among Republicans…

“Democrats are mostly responsible for the drop in U.S. pride this year, with 36% saying they are extremely or very proud, down from 62% a year ago.”

Meanwhile, Republican patriotism climbed to 92%, up from 85% last year. This 56-point gap between how Republicans and Democrats view their own country represents one of the widest political divides on patriotism ever recorded.

Independent voters also showed declining patriotic feelings, though less dramatically – dropping seven points since last year’s survey.

Young Americans Rejecting Patriotic Identity

The generation gap in patriotism appears even more concerning than the political divide. The Gallup poll found that only 41% of Generation Z adults (born 1997-2012) express pride in being American – making them the only age group where a majority rejects patriotic feelings.

This stands in stark contrast to the years following 9/11, when patriotism soared above 90% nationwide. Back then, Americans of all political stripes rallied around the flag. Today’s landscape couldn’t look more different.

The poll, conducted June 2-19, captured American attitudes just before the nation prepares to celebrate its founding ideals of liberty and independence – timing that makes the findings particularly noteworthy.

What Happened to “United We Stand”?

Remember when American flags appeared everywhere after September 11th? When the nation stood shoulder-to-shoulder regardless of politics? That unity seems like ancient history now.

While Republicans maintain consistently high levels of patriotism regardless of who occupies the White House, Democratic pride fluctuates dramatically based on who’s president. The poll notes that Republican patriotism never drops below 85%, even during Democratic administrations. It’s almost as if being patriotic has become part of the Republican identity itself.

For many conservatives, these findings confirm what they’ve observed: a growing reluctance among progressives to embrace traditional expressions of American pride. As fireworks light up the sky this July 4th, many will wonder if the celebration still holds the same meaning for all Americans.

What does it mean when nearly two-thirds of one political party struggles to feel proud of their country? And what happens to a nation when patriotism becomes a partisan issue rather than a shared value?

As we celebrate America’s birthday this week, perhaps the most patriotic thing we can do is remember what brought us together in the first place – not just what drives us apart. The fireworks will still be beautiful, even if we’re seeing them through different eyes.

Key Takeaways

• American patriotism has hit a record low of 58%, with Democratic pride collapsing from 62% to just 36% in Trump’s second term
• Republican patriotism remains strong at 92%, creating a 56-point gap between how the parties view America
• Only 41% of Generation Z adults express pride in being American, the lowest of any age group
• The dramatic decline in patriotic sentiment comes just as the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day

Sources: Breitbart