All articles tagged with #american identity
President Trump will stage a campaign-style rally on the National Mall to mark the United States' 250th birthday, featuring flyovers and a large fireworks display amid stepped-up security and criticism that the event waters down a patriotic milestone with partisan politics.
As the United States marks its 250th year, citizens celebrate a milestone with pride in the nation’s history, even as widespread political division and questions about national identity cast doubt on what the anniversary means for the country’s future.
PRRI's May 2026 American Identity Survey shows Americans retreating into ideological camps and losing faith in shared institutions: pride in being American drops to 51% (down from 82% in 2013), Democrats and Republicans differ sharply on what makes someone 'truly American'—including birthplace, belief in God, and Christianity—and belief in the American Dream has fallen, especially among 18– to 29-year-olds (36%); only 18% say democracy is working well, signaling a growing national identity crisis ahead of the 250th anniversary.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance celebrated an inclusive American story, blending Puerto Rican and Latinx identity with a message of unity, and prompting broader discussion about who gets to be American.
A visit to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History reveals the complex duality of American identity, showcasing both achievements and darker chapters like slavery and colonialism. President Trump criticizes the museum for emphasizing negative aspects of American history and seeks a narrative focused on pride and success. The museum, however, presents a nuanced view, exploring America's triumphs alongside its sins, prompting reflection on patriotism, diversity, and the nation's future.
The article discusses how President Trump is using government policies to promote a more exclusionary and traditionalist view of American identity, emphasizing cultural and historical elements aligned with MAGA ideals, including revisions to museum exhibits, stricter visa screenings, and symbolic acts like declaring English the official language, which critics argue undermine America's diverse and inclusive history.
The article criticizes the right-wing backlash against the new Superman movie, which falsely claims the character's immigrant background and values like kindness are 'woke' propaganda. It argues this is part of a broader effort by MAGA to rewrite American history and identity, denying facts about cultural diversity and the character's origins to promote a nationalist, exclusionary narrative. The piece highlights how such distortions threaten the collective understanding of American values and history.
The article argues that Superman has always been an immigration story, symbolizing the American immigrant experience and the nation's values of acceptance and resilience, contrasting this with recent political debates and criticisms about politicizing the character.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy proposes raising the minimum US voting age from 18 to 25, allowing those ages 18-25 to vote only if they participate in a six-month "national service requirement" or complete a civics test identical to the one required to become a naturalized citizen. Ramaswamy argues that this would restore "civic pride" and "American identity" among young people. The proposal is the only of its kind in the 2024 Republican presidential field and would face significant odds of becoming a reality.