On the eve of America’s Birthday, CNN played up a Gallup poll that suggested only 47 percent of Americans were “extremely proud” to be an American during Tuesday's edition of OutFront. To get their own unofficial tally on the mood of the country, the network found it amusing to send out reporter Jeanne Moos to interview New Yorkers about their level of patriotism. Of course, they highlighted the bitter anti-Trump liberals of the city.
“Is once exploding American patriotism starting to fizzle? Would you call yourself extremely proud to be an American,” Moos rhetorically asked viewers. “Only 47 percent of Americans say they're extremely proud to be an American. That's the lowest level since Gallup first asked the question 17 years ago.”
Moos did begin by showing people on the street who were “very proud” to be Americans, with one woman telling her she was a “super proud citizen.” But things started to go south when she spoke with one naturalized man from India who lamented how he “used to be very proud.” “I would say I'm moderately proud now. It makes me heartbroken. I’m hopeful that I shall be extremely proud again,” he added.
“Those who admit to a slide in their pride tend to blame a president who has wrapped himself in the flag,” Moos declared, effectively taking a jab at President Trump. “I'd be ‘extremely’ if Trump wasn't president,” one person exclaimed to her.
Of course, the person most emphatic about their hatred for being an American was also the most foul-mouthed:
WOMAN 7: It's a shame. It's disgusting.
MOOS: I'm going to put you in the not at all proud to be an American.
WOMAN 7: Not at all. If I had an opportunity, I would get the hell out of this f-[ bleep ]-ing country! Excuse my French.
“32 percent of Democrats told Gallup they were extremely proud,” Moos recalled. “[C]ompared to 74 percent of Republicans.” To wrap up her report, Moos played a clip of a comedian dressed up as Trump while groping an American flag, along with a clip of President Trump himself singing “God Bless the USA.”
Possibly understanding how ridiculous Moos’ report was, Bolduan ended the program by trying to play nice. “All right, people, let's be a little glass half full on this fourth of July eve. At least we're still American,” she pleaded.
This is CNN.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
CNN
Erin Burnett OutFront
July 3, 2018
7:58:22 PM EasternKATE BOLDUAN: Tonight, on the eve of the 4th, do you feel proud to be an American? Here is Jeanne Moos.
[Cuts to video]
JEANNE MOOS: Is once exploding American patriotism starting to fizzle? Would you call yourself extremely proud to be an American?
WOMAN 1: Not at the moment, sorry.
MOOS: Only 47 percent of Americans say they're extremely proud to be an American. That's the lowest level since Gallup first asked the question 17 years ago.
Extremely proud, very proud, moderately proud, only a little.
WOMAN 2: Very proud. Very proud.
WOMAN 3: I think I could be prouder to be an American.
MAN 1: 100 percent patriotic.
WOMAN 4: I would say I'm embarrassed to be an American right now.
MOOS: And you're a proud citizen?
WOMAN 5: A super proud citizen.
MOOS: Immigrants gave us especially heartfelt answers. For instance, this naturalized citizen from India.
NATURALIZED MAN: I used to be very proud. I would say I'm moderately proud now. It makes me heartbroken. I’m hopeful that I shall be extremely proud again.
MOOS: Those who admit to a slide in their pride tend to blame a president who has wrapped himself in the flag.
WOMAN 6: I'd be extremely if Trump wasn't president.
WOMAN 7: It's a shame. It's disgusting.
MOOS: I'm going to put you in the not at all proud to be an American.
WOMAN 7: Not at all. If I had an opportunity, I would get the hell out of this f-[ bleep ]-ing country! Excuse my French.
MOOS: 32 percent of Democrats told Gallup they were extremely proud, compared to 74 percent of Republicans. The President's patriotism never flags.
ANTHONY ATAMANUIK (playing Trump): So many stars. If she wasn’t my flag, I’d be dating her.
(…)
[Cuts back to live]
BOLDUAN: All right, people, let's be a little glass half full on this fourth of July eve. At least we're still American.
