On the Country’s 250th Anniversary, the American People Are in a Sour Mood

As the United States nears its 250th anniversary, a Pew Research Center survey reveals a deeply dissatisfied public, though signs of optimism persist alongside the gloom. [1] The survey, conducted in early 2026, found that 69% of U.S. adults are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country, while only 29% express satisfaction. [1] A majority, 59%, believe the nation's best years are behind it. [1] This sour mood is not new; Pew data shows that more Americans have expressed dissatisfaction than satisfaction with the country's direction for more than two decades. [1] Yet the picture is not uniformly bleak. When asked about the future in general terms, 68% of Americans say they feel hopeful, and 54% report feeling happy. [1] The public is nearly evenly split on the country's overall trajectory, with 48% saying they are optimistic and 51% pessimistic. [1] Furthermore, long-term expectations have improved since 2023. The share of Americans who believe the economy will be stronger by 2050 rose 11 percentage points to 43%, and those expecting the nation to be less politically divided increased 12 points to 33%. [1] The public's mood is closely tied to the political climate. During President Donald Trump's second term, 54% of Republicans reported satisfaction with the country's direction in January 2026, compared to just 8% of Democrats. [1] This period has been marked by significant economic policy shifts. The Trump administration pursued an agenda centered on lower taxation, deregulation, and large-scale protective tariffs. [3] From January to April 2025, the overall average effective U.S. tariff rate surged from 2.5% to an estimated 27%, the highest level in over a century, before settling at 11.8% in April 2026 after negotiations and a Supreme Court ruling. [2] The administration argued the tariffs would promote domestic manufacturing and protect national security. [2] However, studies indicate the tariffs increased costs for households and expenses for companies, with corporate bankruptcies rising to their highest level since 2010. [2] The promised growth in manufacturing jobs did not materialize. [2] Broader economic headwinds, including the tariffs, immigration policies, and a fuel crisis from the 2026 Iran war, have contributed to a significant slowdown of the U.S. economy. [3] Amid this backdrop, the administration also sought to reshape national symbols. An executive order signed on Trump's first day in office directed federal agencies to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" and revert Denali's name to "Mount McKinley." [4] The order is not binding on state governments or the private sector, and many international governments, including Mexico, continue to use the original names. [4]