By THE ALASKA STORY
June 14, 2026 — As Americans marked Flag Day by raising Old Glory over homes, businesses, and buildings across the country, a new national poll suggests that Americans are increasingly divided over what the flag itself represents.
According to a new NBC News survey conducted June 6-10 among 1,000 adults, just 56% of Americans say they are “extremely” or “very” proud to be American. While still a majority, that figure is down sharply from 67% just one year ago and far below the surge of national pride seen after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, when similar surveys found pride levels approaching 90%.
The numbers reveal one of the starkest political divides in recent polling: Among Republicans, 90% say they are extremely or very proud to be American. Among Democrats, that figure drops to a record low of 29%.
Pollster Frank Luntz, who highlighted the findings on social media, said the results reflect a growing cultural and political divide that extends far beyond elections and public policy.
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The age gap is nearly as striking as the partisan one.
Three-quarters of Americans age 65 and older say they are extremely or very proud of their country. Among adults ages 18 to 34, however, only 36% express the same level of pride.
For many Alaskans, public displays of patriotism remain commonplace. American flags fly year-round outside homes from Ketchikan to Fairbanks, although less so in Native settlements. Veterans organizations, military families, and civic groups routinely mark patriotic holidays with ceremonies and events.
The poll suggests that those traditions may resonate differently with younger Americans and members of different political parties.
The contrast is particularly notable when viewed historically.
Luntz pointed to a Gallup survey conducted in 2015 during the Obama administration. At that time, 68% of Republicans said they were extremely proud to be American, compared with 47% of Democrats. Republicans were still more likely to express strong patriotic feelings, but the gap was significantly smaller than it is today.
What has changed over the past decade remains a subject of debate over growing political polarization, social media, declining trust in institutions, and differing views of American history.
Yet even as pride in America has declined in many surveys, Americans continue to express broad support for foundational constitutional freedoms such as free speech, religious liberty, and representative government.
On a day set aside to honor the nation’s flag, the poll serves as a reminder that Americans remain united under one banner but increasingly divided in how they view the country it represents. For a nation approaching its 250th birthday next month, that may be one of the most significant challenges of all.
One thought on “Democrats show record low, lack of pride in America: NBC poll”
Any guess, out there from you keyboard pundits, WHY Americans do not feel the pride they once did? Could it be that democracy, integrity, hope, and kindness have been utterly corrupted by ONE SINGLE MAN? There is no question he is the worst president ever and may be one of the worst world leaders ever. If you voted for him, you are complicit. YOU get to explain your support for corruption and pussy-grabbing to your grandchildren. Sorry about your loss of integrity, but at least you still have your gullibility.