New data from Prolific captures the pulse of American sentiment post-election as we head into the holiday season. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, Prolific’s latest poll reveals heightened political tensions within families across the country, with many Americans bracing for potentially uncomfortable dinner conversations—or opting to skip family gatherings altogether.
Here are a few highlights from the data:
 | Rising Family Tensions: 22% of Americans report increased polarization within their families following the 2024 election, and among younger voters (ages 18-24), that figure jumps to 36%. |
| Thanksgiving Concerns: One-quarter of young Americans worry that political discussions could lead to arguments at Thanksgiving. |
| Skipping Family Gatherings: 20% of respondents plan to skip traditional gatherings, opting instead to spend Thanksgiving alone, avoid family interactions, or even leave the country to sidestep uncomfortable conversations. |
| Dissatisfaction with Leadership: 62% of Americans express disapproval of the current government’s record, while over 58% hold an unfavorable opinion of Donald Trump. |
| Strong Conviction Among Voters: Despite the divisions, 96% of Americans feel confident in their voting decisions with no regrets. |
As Americans grapple with the fallout from the recent election, new polling data from Prolific reveals the growing political tension within families across the country. Following a divisive election season, 22% of respondents report that polarization has deepened within their families, with the impact felt most strongly by younger generations—36% of 18-24-year-olds believe political divides are more intense than in previous election cycles.
National Sentiment: Widespread Disapproval of Government Performance
Prolific’s post-election data highlights a significant dissatisfaction with government leadership, with 62% of Americans disapproving of the government’s record to date. Even among Democrats, 42% expressed disapproval, signaling a broad-based frustration across party lines. The survey also underscores the ongoing divisiveness surrounding former President Donald Trump, with over 58% of Americans, including nearly 63% of women and 54% of men, holding an unfavorable opinion of him.
Americans Brace for Politically Charged Thanksgiving Discussions
With Thanksgiving around the corner, many Americans are anticipating tense political discussions at family gatherings. According to Prolific’s findings, 25% of young voters (18-24) are concerned about potential arguments during the holiday. Reflecting this concern, 20% of respondents plan to skip traditional gatherings, opting instead to spend Thanksgiving alone, avoid family interactions, or even leave the country to sidestep uncomfortable conversations.
Strong Voter Conviction Despite Polarization
Despite the contentious election season, Americans remain steadfast in their voting decisions, with 96% indicating no regrets about their choices. This strong conviction points to a deeply entrenched political landscape. When asked about their neighbors’ political leanings, 54% of respondents believe their neighbors voted for Donald Trump, while among African American respondents, 43% feel their neighbors supported Kamala Harris.
“Post-election, Americans are not only divided but increasingly wary of engaging with family over political issues,” said Andrew Gordon, Senior Research Consultant at Prolific. “This data captures a striking shift in how people are choosing to approach Thanksgiving, with many opting to avoid gatherings altogether rather than face potential conflict. Prolific’s insights reveal that this election has left a lasting impact, with Americans holding firm on their choices while bracing for potentially challenging family interactions.”
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About Prolific
Prolific is a technology company that enables researchers to collect high-quality human-powered data at scale. With Prolific, people are driving breakthroughs in science, technology, and society. The company's products and services make it quicker and easier for people to secure data they can depend on - data from a global community of verified, diverse, and ethically treated research participants. Prolific has been ranked among the fastest-growing businesses in the Financial Times 1000 in 2024 and the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 in 2023.
As part of the UK election in July 2024, Prolific polling accurately predicted the final outcome. Every two weeks in the lead up to the election Prolific polled UK voters to track how the UK public felt about various societal issues, such as AI and the cost of living, and to track voting intention. Prolific became the 6th most accurate pollster of the UK election. More information available here.
For more information on Prolific’s original poll and methodology please visit: https://www.prolific.com/polling
