Fewer than one in five Americans believe the Founding Fathers would be pleased with how the country has turned out, a dramatic shift from 2001 when most held a positive view. The finding comes from a recent Gallup poll published by Axios, capturing a rare moment of national consensus.
The sentiment crosses party, age, race, and income lines, uniting Americans in a shared conviction of disappointment. The 77% who say the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be let down marks the highest level Gallup has ever recorded.
Just 19% of respondents think the founders would be pleased, down from 27% in 2013. Republicans (25%) are more likely than Democrats (13%) and Independents (21%) to express satisfaction, though the partisan gap has historically flipped depending on which party holds the White House.
In 2013, during the Obama administration, 42% of Democrats thought the founders would approve, versus only 12% of Republicans. Both 2013 and 2026 readings are significantly grimmer than those from 2003 and earlier, suggesting long-term erosion of national optimism.
A minority of respondents retain a sunnier outlook, though the poll does not specify their reasoning. The data underscores a persistent disillusionment that transcends political cycles, raising questions about national identity as the 250th anniversary approaches.