As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a Fox News national survey indicates that while American voters maintain a connection to the country, many describe it negatively. The survey, conducted from May 15-18, 2026, found that two-thirds of voters used negative descriptors such as "failing," "divided," "struggling," or "corrupt" when asked to characterize the U.S. Only about one-quarter of respondents chose positive terms like "freedom" or "strong."
The survey revealed that 58% of voters believe Americans are primarily separated by differing values, compared to 42% who feel they are united by shared values. This sentiment is particularly strong among Democrats (62%) and independents (65%), while Republicans are nearly evenly split on the issue.
Despite these negative perceptions, the survey found broad agreement on key American principles, with 85% of voters emphasizing the importance of national unity and shared values, and 83% prioritizing democratic principles. However, there is a notable partisan divide regarding multiculturalism, with 88% of Democrats viewing it as important compared to 67% of Republicans.
The attachment to the U.S. has declined over the past two decades, with 81% of voters expressing a preference to live in the country, down from 93% in the early 2000s. The desire to live elsewhere is particularly strong among voters under 30 and Democrats, with about 30% of each group preferring to reside outside the U.S.
Enthusiasm for the upcoming anniversary also shows a partisan gap, with 74% of Republicans expressing excitement compared to 35% of Democrats. The survey was conducted with a sample of 1,002 registered voters and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.