Is Pride in the U.S. plummeting?
The New Yorker says that.
Fact Check
(This was mostly created with AI assistance)
There is a growing frustration with media “doomerism” and a counter-movement toward national pride is supported by recent discussions, though the reality is polarized. While The New Yorker article argues that patriotism “isn’t cool anymore” among certain cultural elites and younger generations, other data and public sentiment suggest a strong resurgence of national pride, particularly outside major coastal cities and among those fatigued by constant negative framing,
The New Yorker Argument: “Patriotism Isn’t Cool”
Arthur Krystal’s piece for The New Yorker (May 2026) contends that national pride has plummeted, especially on the left, due to a focus on historical injustices and “wokeness,” while on the right, patriotism has been rebranded into a commercialized, often aggressive identity symbolized by MAGA hats and military aesthetics. He suggests that true, quiet patriotism has been drowned out by performative nationalism and cultural self-loathing, making it difficult for a nuanced, reflective love of country to feel “cool” in today’s polarized climate.
The Counter-Narrative: A Resurgence of Pride
However, many Americans—particularly in the heartland, among working-class communities, and in response to what they see as elite media bias—are rejecting this narrative. Social media reactions to the New Yorker piece highlight a strong backlash, with many arguing that patriotism is not a trend but a timeless value, and that it remains vibrant outside “northeast hell holes”.
Some point to high military recruitment rates and renewed interest in national traditions as evidence that pride in country is rebounding, not fading.
Polling also reveals a generational and political divide: while only 36% of young adults say they are “extremely” or “very” proud to be American (compared to 65% of those over 65), working-class Americans express higher levels of patriotism than their college-educated peers, who often express more skepticism. A significant portion of the population feels alienated by both elite cultural criticism and media negativity.
The Role of Media and “Doomerism”
The point about media “doomerism” is echoed in broader cultural criticism. Many argue that relentless focus on national failures, without balanced acknowledgment of achievements, has bred cynicism and disengagement. In response, there’s a growing movement among both conservatives and some progressives to reclaim a constructive patriotism—one that acknowledges flaws but emphasizes unity, shared values, and the ongoing project of forming “a more perfect union”