Poll: Americans take pessimistic view of national divisions, prospects for healing

After a bruising election, Americans remain deeply skeptical about the possibility of reconciliation.

In the days following the most contentious presidential election in decades, Americans remain pessimistic about healing the country's wounds, according to a recent Monmouth University poll.

In total, 76% of Americans see the country as deeply divided on its most foundational values3

That said, about 31% of the public believes the country will grow more united over the next year, while 25% expect Americans to grow more divided; 35% expect to see little change.

According to Monmouth, 90% of Democrats believe the country has become more divided under Trump, while only 49% of Republicans agree.

More: As COVID surges, Americans remain divided on the threat.

While Americans are generally pessimistic about the political system, they remain divided on whether Trump remedied or worsened the situation.

Just 29% of the public believes Trump made progress in "draining the swamp," compared with 32% who think he has made the situation worse, and 34% who say nothing has really changed.

According to Monmouth, about 45% of Americans believe Trump has done more to undermine the U.S