The AP-NORC findings
AP-NORC’s America 250 poll reported that high pride in how U.S. democracy works fell from 42% in 2017 to 28% in 2026. Pride in U.S. history declined from 58% to 44% on the same comparison. These are responses to particular questions about institutions and national attributes, rather than a single measure of patriotism.
A related but different survey
Gallup separately reported a low in its long-running national-pride series using a June 1–15 survey. That survey asks about pride in being American. Its findings can add context, but percentages from the two organizations should not be combined as if they came from an identical question and sample.
What the results can support
A change over time is most informative when question wording and response categories are comparable. Check the methods and subgroup sample sizes before making claims about a generation or party. The surveys measure reported attitudes; they do not identify a single cause for the change or prove how respondents will vote. Differences by political affiliation are also a reason to avoid describing all Americans as holding one view.
