Full Breakdown
Americans’ Faith in the Dream Declines as Nation Marks 250th Anniversary
6/8/2026, 11:30:50 PM
Core Findings and Methodology
The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research surveyed 2,596 U.S. adults April 16-20, 2026 via the AmeriSpeak® panel (margin of error ±2.6 pp; sub-group ±4.3 % for Republicans, ±3.8 % for Democrats). Only 34 % say the American Dream still holds, 51 % view it as a relic, and 15 % say it never was true. About 25 % see the U.S. as superior, 44 % as one of the greatest, and 30 % think other nations are better. Respondents who affirm the Dream report greater confidence in finding a good job, saving for retirement, covering unexpected medical costs, or buying a home.
Demographic and Partisan Breakdown
Republicans (57 %) are twice as likely as Democrats (17 %) to say the Dream holds; independents are at 24 %. Men (39 %) exceed women (29 %). Adults 60+ support it at 46 % versus 22 % of those 18-29. White respondents endorse the Dream at 40 % versus 19 % of Black respondents; 30 % of Black respondents say it never existed, compared with 12 % of Whites.
Views on Exceptionalism and Democratic Identity
About one-quarter of adults view the U.S. as exceptional; 44 % see it as one of the greatest and 30 % say other nations surpass it. The share who deem an elected government “highly important” fell to roughly two-thirds (?66 %) from 80 % in 2021. Younger adults are less likely than older adults to endorse exceptionalism or democracy as central to national identity.
Criticism, Opposition, and Personal Accounts
A retired senior enlisted man from Indiana said he would trust an ambulance-chasing lawyer over a politician. A 24-year-old from Alabama argued elected officials are the problem. A 27-year-old software developer in Denver said his partner’s job search shattered his belief that hard work guarantees success. A 28-year-old financial planner from Wisconsin called the United States “a great experiment” for those willing to work.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The AP-NORC figures reported by Fox News and PBS match, though phrasing varies (e.g., “about one-quarter” versus “25 %”). The poll lacks longitudinal data beyond 2025 and does not provide regional breakdowns or detailed confidence intervals for each demographic slice.
Looking Ahead to the 250th Celebration
The poll will be refreshed with additional results in the weeks before July 4, 2026, as the nation prepares for extensive commemorations. Survey findings may shape public discourse and the tone of the anniversary events.
Verbatim Quotes
- "It's the people that are actually being put in office that is the problem." — Derricka Wall, Chickasaw, Alabama
- "I'll trust the ambulance-chasing lawyer and a shady used car salesman before I trust the politician." — Kent Stage, Indiana
- "That really shattered my impression that if you work hard, you get what you deserve." — Jack Hermanson, Denver
- "It's been a great experiment." — Quintin Sharpe, Wisconsin
