Most Americans think the government lies. Many say the American Dream is dead.

America’s reputation is eroding from within.

In a country rife with division, a wave of pessimism and cynicism has taken hold: Approximately two-thirds of Americans suspect that the government frequently deceives its citizens. This distrust transcends party lines, with a significant majority of both Donald Trump (64 percent) and Kamala Harris voters (70 percent) expressing this belief.

According to The POLITICO Poll by Public First, nearly half of Americans—49 percent—feel that the nation’s glory days are behind it. This sentiment outweighs the 41 percent who believe that the best is yet to come, reflecting a widespread anxiety regarding both personal prospects and the nation’s trajectory.

In a revealing new poll conducted almost a year after Trump’s reelection, a pronounced strain of pessimism is evident across the electorate, particularly among Democrats.

Harris voters are twice as likely as Trump supporters to assert that the United States’ prime is in the past.

Describing America’s current state, Maury Giles, CEO of Braver Angels—a nonprofit focused on bridging partisan divides—remarked that the nation resembles “someone who is feeling lost, confused, or beat up … uncertain of what to do, looking around and saying this isn’t right, this isn’t the way.”

Democrats’ Gloom Outweighs Republicans’ Optimism

When asked about the “best times” in the United States, only a handful identified the current moment.

Nearly two-thirds of Harris voters believe that the best times have already passed, a stark contrast to the 30 percent of Trump voters who share that sentiment. Conversely, a majority of Trump supporters—55 percent—are optimistic about the future.

This disparity likely reflects a partisan trend: individuals tend to express optimism when their party holds the presidency and pessimism when it does not.

“Americans will differ in their perceptions of the country’s performance based on who occupies the Oval Office and their party affiliation,” explained Jennifer McCoy, a political scientist at Georgia State University specializing in partisanship.

While perceptions may shift with future electoral outcomes, the current climate sees a predominance of negative sentiment among Democrats.

Over half of Harris voters—51 percent—believe that America is not functioning as a democracy, while 52 percent of Trump supporters maintain the opposite view, regarding the U.S. as a model of democracy.

Democrats’ outlook is notably bleak, with 70 percent of Harris voters stating that the quality of life in the U.S. has worsened compared to five years ago, a period marked by the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, extensive racial justice protests, and a divisive presidential election. In contrast, 42 percent of Trump voters feel that life has improved over the same period.

This negative perspective extends globally, with 76 percent of Harris voters asserting that the state of the world has deteriorated compared to five years ago, while only 44 percent of Trump voters concur.

Skepticism Surrounds the American Dream

On a personal level, belief in the American Dream has also waned. Once a celebrated national ethos suggesting that hard work and discipline could lead to better life outcomes, the idea is now seen by many as a relic of the past. A poll question asking whether “the American Dream no longer exists” revealed that nearly half of Americans—46 percent—believe it has vanished, a figure significantly higher than the 26 percent who disagree.

A majority of Harris voters—51 percent—agree that the American Dream is a bygone concept, while Trump voters are split, with 38 percent agreeing and 38 percent opposing this view.

This decline in faith in the American Dream mirrors broader economic pessimism, said McCoy. Younger Americans, in particular, are more inclined to assert that the American Dream is defunct. Among those aged 18-24, 55 percent agree with this sentiment, compared to only 36 percent of those over 65.

“Social mobility has been on a downward trajectory, and this is essentially the litmus test for the American Dream,” she noted. “Young people are feeling the pinch—they can’t afford homes, are burdened by student debt, and face challenges in starting families.”

Awareness of Polarization Increases

This general sense of pessimism is accompanied by a growing awareness of political polarization.

Over half of U.S. adults—59 percent—believe that political polarization is “much” or “somewhat” worse than it was five years ago, with older Americans, particularly those over 65, more likely to hold this view.

Political divisions also permeate personal relationships, as 61 percent of Americans report that most of their friends share their political views. This trend is evident across party lines—65 percent of Trump voters and 67 percent of Harris supporters reflect this pattern.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) recently cautioned that the degradation of American politics has been exacerbated by the internet and a culture of anonymous hostility. He stated, “Anonymity amplifies anger and stirs people up,” criticizing those who thrive on inciting outrage.

Forty-one percent of Americans say they lack a close friend who votes for a different party, with younger individuals and Harris voters more likely to report this phenomenon.

This increasing social segmentation has intensified Americans’ pessimism, according to Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who argues that Trump is merely a symptom of a deeper crisis of connection and meaning in the country.

“We yearn for a sense of common purpose, yet we spend less quality time with our families, friends, and peers than ever before,” he emphasized.

Demand for Radical Change Emerges

The prevailing malaise has fueled a desire for substantial changes in the country, with a slight majority—52 percent—believing that “radical change” is necessary for improving life in America.

Younger individuals show a particular inclination toward this viewpoint, with more Harris voters endorsing the need for radical change compared to Trump voters.

Approximately one-third—35 percent—of Americans go a step further, asserting that the U.S. requires a revolution. This perspective spans party lines, with 39 percent of Harris voters and 32 percent of Trump voters sharing this belief.

Despite the ongoing pessimism, a sense of national pride persists, as nearly two-thirds—64 percent—of Americans report feeling proud to be American, according to the poll.

“Americans are in need of hope and confidence,” Giles remarked. “The vast majority recognize that the current state of affairs is unhealthy and unsustainable.”