Public mood ahead of Americas 250th anniversary

Topline findings

A Fox News national survey, conducted June 12–15, 2026, of 1,002 registered voters (margin of sampling error ±3 percentage points) finds 53% of voters say they are proud of the country today, 54% believe America’s best days are ahead, and roughly six in 10 say democracy in the United States is not working well. These topline numbers frame public attitudes as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary.

The survey was conducted by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research using live callers and online completion. Results reflect respondents’ opinions and are subject to sampling error; subgroup estimates have higher uncertainty and should be read with caution.

Who is proud

Pride varies by age, party and identity. More than half of voters age 45 and older report feeling proud of the country; the under-30 cohort registers the lowest pride level at 44%. Pride is strongest among Republicans, White evangelical Christians, rural residents, White voters without a college degree and men.

By contrast, lower pride levels appear among Democrats, Black voters, many independents, women and younger voters. These splits are sizable and reflect differing lived experience and political framing across groups, rather than a single, uniform national mood.

Subgroup detail and context

Regional and education splits mirror the partisan divides. Voters without a college degree trend toward higher pride and optimism than college-educated voters. Urban and suburban voters record lower pride and greater skepticism about national progress compared with rural voters.

Among identity groups, White evangelical Christians stand out for high pride and optimism. Black voters and younger adults tend to be less positive about the country’s direction. Independents fall between the major parties but skew toward skepticism on democratic functioning.

Partisan shifts in optimism

Year-to-year changes are notable. Optimism — the share saying America’s best days are ahead — has moved dramatically in opposite directions by party. Optimism is up 42 points among Republicans since 2023, while it is down about 20 points among Democrats over the same period. Those swings suggest party-specific shifts in how voters assess prospects, not a uniform national trend.

Analysts should treat year-to-year changes carefully: shifts can reflect real opinion movement, changes in question context, or differences in who responded. When broken into subgroups, the margin of error widens, so apparent changes for smaller slices of the sample are less precise.

Democracy and pocketbook issues

Concern about democratic functioning is widespread: roughly six in 10 respondents say democracy is not working well today. That view appears across the political spectrum, with sizable shares of Democrats and independents expressing concern and a notable minority of Republicans doing the same.

On day-to-day economic issues, voters are critical of leadership on fuel costs: 77% disapprove of former President Donald Trump’s handling of gas prices. Still, heat at the pump has not stopped most Americans from planning summer travel — 60% say they have not changed travel plans because of gasoline prices.

Why it matters

These attitudes matter for how Americans will mark the 250th anniversary and how political actors craft messages. High pride among certain groups can shape celebratory and civic rituals, while widespread doubts about democracy point to governance and institutional concerns that cut across party lines.

For campaigns and civic leaders, subgroup splits indicate where narratives about national renewal or crisis will land differently. Policymakers and organizers who want to reach skeptical cohorts may need concrete, local-focused messaging rather than broad patriotic appeals.

Key takeaways

• Majority pride: 53% say they are proud of the country today.
• Rising optimism: 54% say America’s best days are ahead; optimism up 42 points among Republicans since 2023 and down about 20 points among Democrats.
• Democracy worries: About 6 in 10 believe democracy is not working well.
• Subgroup splits: Higher pride among voters 45+, Republicans, White evangelical Christians, rural voters, Whites without a college degree and men; lower pride among Democrats, Black voters, independents, women and younger voters.
• Pocketbook friction: 77% disapprove of Trump’s handling of gas prices, yet 60% have not altered summer travel plans because of pump prices.

By the numbers

• Sample: 1,002 registered voters (June 12–15, 2026).
• Margin of sampling error: ±3 percentage points (full sample).
• Topline figures: 53% proud; 54% say best days ahead; ~60% say democracy not working well.

Source: Fox News national survey, conducted June 12–15, 2026. Full topline and cross-tabs are available from the Fox News release.

Source attribution: Fox News — “Fox News Poll: Looking ahead to America’s 250th anniversary”