Democrats are now showing more pride in America’s pop culture than its military. This trend emerges from recent AP-NORC polling released before the nation’s 250th anniversary. The survey highlights a widening cultural and partisan split over symbols that best represent American identity.
The findings indicate that Democrats, Republicans, and independents celebrate different symbols of national pride. This trend influences how the country commemorates significant anniversaries and shapes future political debates. Pride in the military has notably decreased over the past decade, primarily driven by Democrats, while pride in cultural achievements remains stable.
Shift in Democrats’ Pride
The poll reveals that Democrats’ pride in the military has decreased from 74 percent in 2017, during President Trump’s first term, to 42 percent today. Overall, U.S. adults feel less proud compared to the AP-NORC’s 2017 report. Pride in America’s armed forces has dropped from 78 percent to 59 percent, history from 58 percent to 44 percent, democracy from 42 percent to 28 percent, and political influence on the world from 34 percent to 24 percent over the decade.
Pop Culture Surpasses Military Pride for Democrats
Democrats do not rank the military among their top sources of national pride, unlike Republicans who overwhelmingly remain proud of the armed forces. About 9 in 10 Republicans state that the military instills them with a high sense of pride. In contrast, Democrats’ pride in the military has fallen more than 30 points since 2017.
Democratic pride in American pop culture has remained consistent and mirrors Republicans’ pride in this area. The AP-NORC poll notes that Democratic and Republican pride in American popular culture is comparable, making pop culture a rare area of alignment between the parties.
This divergence suggests cultural products like music, film, television, and fashion have become a more comfortable expression of patriotism for Democrats.
A Broader Decline in Institutional Pride
The decline in military pride is part of a broader decrease in how Americans view national institutions. Pride in democracy, history, and political influence has dropped generally, with Democrats showing the steepest declines.
The AP-NORC poll states, “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 also coincides with frustration over political polarization, international conflicts, and domestic inequities highlighted in the poll.
Republican Consistency in Military Pride
Republicans still predominantly anchor their identity in the military, with nearly 90 percent expressing deep pride in the armed forces. This view aligns with broader Republican perspectives. They are more likely to label America as “great, prosperous, or powerful,” display the flag regularly, and emphasize being an American as crucial to their identity. The military remains a core symbol of patriotism for Republicans that has remained stable over time.
Implications for America’s 250th Anniversary
As America marks its 250th anniversary, these divides inform how Americans will celebrate. The AP-NORC poll shows about 4 in 10 adults feel proud about the anniversary. Democrats are more likely to feel conflicted, while Republicans express excitement. Official celebrations will prominently feature the military, including flyovers and ceremonies, but Democrats may engage more with cultural programming and storytelling that highlight America’s diverse and creative narrative.
Redefining Patriotism
The poll indicates that Americans are redefining what patriotism entails. For Democrats, pride shifts towards cultural expression rather than traditional institutions. In contrast, Republicans see the military as a fundamental component of national identity. Independents occupy a middle ground between the two.
As the nation moves forward, these differences will not only shape political debates but also influence how Americans narrate their country’s story and the symbols they choose to celebrate.
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