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Poll: 40% Doubt U.S. Survival, 77% Expect Violence

6/16/2026

47 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A poll conducted June 12-15, 2026 shows 40% of Americans doubt the United States will exist as a single country in 250 years.
The doubt is higher among Democrats (40%) than Republicans (26%).
85% of Democrats say democracy is in danger.
50% of Republicans say democracy is in danger.
77% of respondents expect more political violence.

History

Historical Context

During the August 26-29, 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Mayor Richard J. Daley deployed 23,000 police and National Guard members against roughly 10,000 anti-war demonstrators, resulting in 668 arrests and televised police brutality. The chaos helped fuel Richard Nixon’s law-and-order campaign and deepened public doubt in democratic stability, echoing today’s 40 % poll of American pessimism.

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Story summary

A poll conducted June 12-15, 2026 shows 40% of Americans doubt the United States will exist as a single country in 250 years.
The doubt is higher among Democrats (40%) than Republicans (26%).
85% of Democrats say democracy is in danger.
50% of Republicans say democracy is in danger.
77% of respondents expect more political violence.

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