Staff Reports
A fresh Elon University “America250” poll this spring gives conservatives something to smirk about: most Americans still say they are proud to be American. That finding blows up the media’s favorite line that patriotism is dying and the country has lost its mojo. Before the usual suspects rush to declare national gloom, let’s look at the facts and the fine print.
Elon University Poll: Most Americans Still Proud
The Elon “America250” poll found 68% of U.S. adults say they are proud to be American. That’s not a whisper — it’s a clear majority. The same survey also reported 79% believe the United States plays a uniquely important role in world history, and 65% say there’s no other country they would rather live in. Even younger Americans, including many in Gen Z, showed notable levels of pride and relative optimism about the country’s future. Jason Husser, director of the Elon Poll, summed it up as a mix of pride and concern — a public that loves its country but worries about its direction.
So Why Do Gallup and AP-NORC Tell a Different Story?
Easy answer: they asked a different question. Gallup focused on how many are “extremely proud” — only 33% — and combined “extremely” and “very” proud to get about 53%. AP-NORC pooled multiple polls and flagged big drops on specific items like pride in history, the military and democracy. Those are valid snapshots, but they’re not the same as asking whether people generally feel proud to be American. Sampling matters too: Elon used an online matched panel of about 1,000 respondents, Gallup had its own national sample, and AP-NORC used a larger probability panel. Different wording, different timing, different panels — different headlines. Same country, different angles. Pick your headline.
None of this means everything is perfect. Elon found big worries: about 73% rate the health of U.S. democracy as “fair” or “poor,” and roughly half say the country isn’t living up to its founding ideals. AP-NORC’s work shows partisan and generational divides are real. So yes, Americans can be proud and uneasy at the same time. That’s not a contradiction — it’s common sense. People love what’s good and want to fix what’s broken.
Here’s the takeaway conservatives should carry into every debate about “declining patriotism”: don’t let flashy headlines replace common sense. The America250 poll proves most Americans still feel a connection to this country. The other polls show where work is needed — on restoring faith in institutions and the ideals that made America strong. That should be our rallying cry. Mocking the worried or the noisy minority won’t help. Building something that wins back the skeptical and protects our freedoms will.
