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By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
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Democrats are expressing more pride in America’s pop culture than in its armed forces, according to new AP‑NORC polling released ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, highlighting a widening cultural and partisan divide over what Americans believe best represents the country’s identity.
The findings suggest that Democrats, Republicans, and independents may increasingly celebrate different symbols of national pride, shaping how the country commemorates major milestones and how future political debates unfold. Pride in the military has dropped sharply over the past decade, according to the poll, driven largely by Democrats, even as pride in cultural output remains comparatively steady.
Democrats’ pride in the military has fallen from 74 percent in 2017, during President Donald Trump's first term, to just 42 percent today, according to the report.
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Overall, U.S. adults are feeling less proud in general, when compared to AP‑NORC's 2017 report: “Pride in America’s armed forces (78% vs. 59%), history (58% vs. 44%), democracy (42% vs. 28%), and political influence on the world (34% vs. 24%) have all dropped over the past decade," the new report notes.
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Pop Culture Pride Surpasses Military Pride Among Democrats
Democrats are now the only major political group that does not rank the military among their top sources of national pride, according to the poll. While Republicans remain overwhelmingly proud of the armed forces—about 9 in 10 say the military makes them “extremely” or “very” proud—Democrats’ pride in the military has plunged more than 30 points since 2017.
By contrast, Democrats’ pride in American pop culture has stayed relatively stable and is now roughly equal to Republicans’ pride in the same category. The AP‑NORC poll notes that “Democratic and Republican pride in American popular culture is about the same,” making it one of the few cultural areas where the parties align.
This divergence stresses how cultural products like music, film, television and fashion have become a more comfortable expression of patriotism for Democrats.
A Decade‑Long Decline in Institutional Pride
The drop in military pride is part of a broader decline in how Americans view national institutions. Pride in democracy, history, and political influence has fallen across the board, but Democrats show the steepest declines.
One line from the AP‑NORC poll captures the trend: “Compared to a 2017 AP‑NORC Poll during Trump’s first term, adults are feeling less pride in several aspects of the country.”
Democrats’ declining pride in the military coincides with frustration over political polarization, foreign conflicts, and domestic inequities, themes echoed in interviews included in the poll.
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Republicans Still Anchor Their Identity in the Military
Republicans remain the most consistently proud of the armed forces, with nearly 90 percent saying the military makes them extremely or very proud.
This aligns with broader Republican views in the poll:
- Republicans are more likely to describe America as “great, prosperous, or powerful.”
- They are more likely to fly the American flag daily or on holidays.
- They are more likely to say being an American is “extremely” important to their identity.
The military remains a core symbol of patriotism for Republicans that has not eroded over time.
What This Means for America’s 250th Anniversary
As the country marks its semiquincentennial, these divides shape how Americans celebrate. The AP‑NORC poll finds:
- About 4 in 10 adults feel “proud” about the anniversary.
- Democrats are far more likely to feel “conflicted.”
- Republicans are far more likely to feel “excited.”
The military will feature prominently in official celebrations, including flyovers and ceremonies, but Democrats may connect more with cultural programming, entertainment, and storytelling that highlight America’s diversity and creative legacy.
Identity, Pride, and the Future of Patriotism
The poll shows Americans are redefining what patriotism looks like. For Democrats, pride is shifting toward cultural expression rather than traditional institutions. For Republicans, the military remains a bedrock of national identity. Independents fall somewhere in between.
As the U.S. enters its next chapter, these differences will shape not only political debates but also how Americans tell the story of their country—and which symbols they choose to celebrate.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jenni Fink and Sam Wilson.
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