Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) reported new national findings in 2026 from a survey of more than 5,000 adults in the United States outlining levels of American pride, views of President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV and positions on immigration and the war in Iran. The results, released as the country marks its 250th anniversary, showed lower pride in national identity and history alongside sharp partisan divides on leadership and democracy.
The figures matter as the nation assesses its civic mood during the semiquincentennial year. In a separate 2026 update, a Gallup survey registered national pride at a record low in its own series, with only 33 percent describing themselves as extremely proud, underscoring generational and political splits.
American pride, history and democracy in 2026
PRRI found that 51% of respondents said they were extremely or very proud of their American identity, while 49% said they were extremely or very proud of the nation’s 250-year history. Partisan differences were pronounced: pride in U.S. history was expressed by 82% of Republicans, compared with 44% of independents and 28% of Democrats. The data point to a broadening gap over how Americans weigh national achievements and shortcomings at a symbolic milestone.
On democratic concerns, 59% agreed with a statement describing President Trump as a dangerous dictator whose power should be limited before he destroys American democracy. That share was higher among Democrats and independents than among Republicans. The results aligned with the PRRI portrait of a public split over institutional trust and executive power and they echo the concurrent Gallup reading of dampened national pride as the country observes its anniversary.
Leadership ratings: Trump and Pope Leo XIV
More than a year into his second administration, President Trump’s favorability stood at 34% down from 41% before the 2026 election, with 62% viewing him unfavorably. Within the Republican Party, support remained high: 79% held favorable views of Trump. The partisan consolidation contrasted with broader national skepticism and fed into assessments of his handling of foreign and domestic priorities.
Pope Leo XIV was viewed more favorably than Trump by most Americans, with notable exceptions among Republicans and conservative white Christians. Democrats (73%) and independents (55%) were more likely to view the Pope favorably than the president, while among Republicans, Trump’s favorability (79%) exceeded the Pope’s (47%). The split underscored cultural and religious cross-currents shaping perceptions of moral and political authority in 2026.
Policy assessments: Iran and immigration
On the war in Iran two-thirds of Americans (66%) rated Trump’s handling unfavorably, while 29% rated it favorably. The figures indicated significant public unease with the conduct or outcomes of that conflict. Immigration drew slightly more balanced views but still trended negative for the administration: 37% rated Trump’s handling favorably versus 58% unfavorably, extending a pattern of division over border policy and broader migration frameworks.
The policy ratings tracked with the president’s These issue-specific readings, combined with the favorability figures, frame a national debate over priorities in foreign engagement, asylum and enforcement, and the perceived trade-offs between sovereignty and pluralism.
Culture, religion and civic identity
PRRI found that 64% preferred the U.S. to be a nation composed of people of many religions, compared with 34% who preferred one primarily composed of followers of the Christian faith. On heritage, 77% preferred a nation made up of people from all over the world, while 20% preferred one primarily of Western European heritage. These attitudes reflected support for a diverse society across religious and ethnic lines.
On civic markers, majorities said believing in individual freedoms (93%) the Constitution (91%) and the Declaration of Independence (88%) were important to being truly American. There was less agreement that being Christian (43%) or having Western European heritage (23%) were necessary traits. Together with the pride measures and leadership ratings, the findings present a detailed snapshot of identity, democracy and belonging in 2026.
