Nine in ten Americans can name either a recent news event or something about American politics that made them angry, while only half could identify a recent news event or something about American politics that made them proud, according to the McCourtney Institute for Democracy’s latest Mood of the Nation Poll, conducted with 997 American adults from January 11 to 17, 2024.
In addition, when asked how angry or proud whatever they had identified made them feel, 46% of respondents said they felt “extremely angry,” over double the percentage who indicated feeling “extremely proud.”
Half of respondents were asked, “What is there about American politics today that makes you feel angry?” and the other half were asked, “What has recently been in the news that makes you feel angry?” Responses to the two questions were similar and, in both cases, wide ranging.
What has recently been in the news that makes you feel angry?
“Everything that Biden and the Democrats do!’ — 75-year-old white male Republican from Texas.
“People defending Trump’s right to be on the ballot, saying that he’s not an insurrectionist.” — 20-year-old white female Democrat from Florida.
Taken all together the most common set of responses were those mentioning President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump or their respective political coalitions, adding up to nearly one quarter of all responses. This included:
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14% of all respondents, including 28% of Democrats, who referred to “Trump, Republicans and the right” with 10% of all respondents specifically mentioning former President Trump.
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10% who mentioned something having to do with “Biden, Democrats and the left,” including 22% of Republicans, with 7% of all respondents specifically mentioning President Biden.
Other common points of anger? One in five mentioned a domestic issue or policy, including immigration or border control (mentioned by 5% of respondents), the economy (3%) and crime (2%). An additional 12% of respondents mentioned a violation of democratic principles, including partisan division (6%), corruption (3%) and dishonesty (2%).
What is there about American politics today that makes you feel angry?
“The vitriol and failure to listen to or hear voices in opposition.” — 60-year-old white female Independent from Wisconsin.
“We are divided. We don’t listen or respect each other as human beings.” — 48-year-old Black female Democrat from New Jersey.