America’s Confidence Is Crumbling And Most People Say The Best Days Are Gone

A new poll paints a grim picture of a country deeply divided and drowning in distrust. Two-thirds of Americans now believe their government lies to them on purpose.

And it’s not just one side pointing fingers. Among Trump voters, 64% think Washington lies “often,” while 70% of Harris voters agree. For once, Americans on both sides are united in their cynicism.

Almost half of the country, 49%, believes America’s best days are already behind it. Only 41% think better days are ahead. That pessimism runs deep, especially among Democrats. Harris voters are twice as likely as Trump voters to say the glory days are over.

“America feels lost, confused, and beat up,” said Maury Giles, CEO of Braver Angels, a group that works to bridge political divides. “People are looking around and saying, ‘This isn’t right.’”

More than half of Harris voters, 51%, say the United States is no longer a functioning democracy. Meanwhile, 52% of Trump voters see the country as a model democracy.

The divide runs through nearly every issue. Seventy percent of Harris voters say life in America is worse than it was five years ago, while 42% of Trump supporters say it’s actually better. When asked about the world in general, 76% of Harris voters say things have gotten worse, compared to 44% of Trump voters.

Once the backbone of American identity, the “American Dream,” the belief that hard work leads to a better life, is fading fast. Nearly half of Americans, 46%, say that dream no longer exists. Only 26% disagreed.

Young people are the most disillusioned. More than half of adults aged 18 to 24, 55%, said the American Dream is dead, compared to just 36% of seniors.

“In economic terms, social mobility is collapsing,” said political scientist Jennifer McCoy. “Young people can’t buy homes, can’t afford kids, and are buried in debt. They’re losing hope.”

Polarization isn’t just political; it’s personal. Nearly six in ten Americans, 59%, say political divisions are worse than they were five years ago. Sixty-one percent admit most of their friends share their political views, and four in ten say they don’t have a single close friend who votes differently.

Sen. Rand Paul blamed the internet for fueling hostility. “Anonymity makes anger worse,” Paul said. “Too many people now specialize in outrage.”

Sen. Chris Murphy described it as a “crisis of connection.” “We’re built to want a sense of common purpose,” he said. “But we spend less time with our families and friends than ever before.”

With so much frustration, Americans are desperate for change. A majority, 52%, believe the U.S. needs radical reform to get back on track. More than one in three, 35%, say it might even take something bigger, a revolution.

That feeling crosses party lines. Thirty-nine percent of Harris voters and 32% of Trump supporters agree something has to give.

Still, despite the gloom, national pride remains strong. Nearly two-thirds of Americans, 64%, say they’re proud to be American.

“People know what’s happening isn’t healthy,” Giles said. “They want hope. They want confidence. They just don’t see much of it right now.”

America is anxious, angry, and unsure of itself. Its people don’t trust their leaders, don’t believe in the system, and more than ever question whether the American Dream is still alive. And while politicians keep fighting, most Americans seem to agree on one thing: something has to change.

This report is based on findings from a POLITICO survey conducted by Public First from October 18–21, 2025. The poll included responses from 2,051 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of ±2.2 percentage points. POLITICO is the original source of the data and analysis.

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Joseph Johnson

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