Discourse over the One Big Beautiful Bill reflects a deep political divide in the United States. A new Quantus Insights poll confirms that Americans are considering political alternatives amidst deeply entrenched polarization, declining optimism, and eroding faith in traditional institutions.
The poll, taken between June 30th and July 2nd, shows that political division has further grown since the 2016 presidential election.
President Donald Trump’s (R) approval rating remains steady at 46.8%, narrowly trailing his disapproval at 49.1%. The national opinion appears gridlocked, but the president’s support among white working-class men without college degrees remains overwhelming, topping 63%.
36.5% of Americans believe the country is in decline, and 34.2% believe its best days lie ahead. An additional 21.3% believe the “golden era” is long gone.
Pessimism is much more prevalent among older and rural voters, suggesting the discontent goes beyond partisanship and reflects a broader cultural and existential anxiety.
While moderates make up the largest ideological bloc at 40%, conservatives significantly outnumber liberals with 36% to 24%. Liberals remain largely among urban, college-educated women, and the general electorate leans right, reinforcing that the country’s polarization is not symmetrical.
One of the most revealing statistics shows that 33% of voters believe neither party represents American values. Republicans edge Democrats slightly with 37% to 31%, but there is a prevailing sentiment of disillusionment, signaling that Americans are considering political alternatives.
Elon Musk, who in recent weeks has taken part in a bitter rivalry with the president, has proposed the “America Party.” The alternative garnered interest from 40% of respondents, especially young voters and Republican men.
In 2021, Andrew Yang, a former Democratic 2020 presidential and 2021 New York City mayoral candidate, launched the Forward Party to attract disillusioned voters to a more centrist community. Despite the initial push from Yang, the party has not attracted significant ground on the legislative map.
