America’s 250th Anniversary and the Partisan Divide

The White House recently hosted an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the South Lawn to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. This stirred mixed reactions. A significant number of Democrats, about three-quarters, found the event inappropriate, while less than a quarter of Republicans shared this sentiment.

Partisanship extends beyond the White House event. The Trump administration’s Great American State Fair, located on the National Mall, has faced opposition. At least 10 Democratic-led states confirmed non-participation. Oregon’s representative remarked on the event’s increasing partisan nature.

However, gender differences also influence perceptions of the 250th anniversary. A national poll by Bowling Green State University, in collaboration with YouGov, illuminates this gap. The survey involved 1,200 registered U.S. voters, with a 3.2 percent margin of error.

Interest in the anniversary varies by gender. Among men, 70 percent express interest, compared with 60 percent of women. Activity participation shows a similar trend: 54 percent of men versus 45 percent of women plan to engage in commemorative activities.

The poll asked respondents to choose focal points for the celebrations. Men leaned towards honoring the founding fathers, with 26 percent choosing this focus. Meanwhile, 48 percent of women prioritized uniting Americans across differences, compared to 37 percent of men.

Partisanship and gender intertwine in this context. Republican women are less interested than Republican men in centering events around the founding fathers’ commemoration, with a 16-point gap between them. In contrast, Democratic gender disparities are negligible.

Regarding the focus of celebration, Republican women favor togetherness over celebration more than their male counterparts, with 52 percent against 33 percent. Men’s celebratory preference sits at 60 percent among Republicans but under half for women.

When considering America’s founding principles as a foundation for current challenges, less than half of Republican women strongly agree, compared to 59 percent of Republican men. Among Democrats, differences remain minimal.

Interestingly, the gender divide appears notable among Democrats on principles of fairness, justice, and equality, with a difference of eight points between men and women. Among Republicans, gender differences are less pronounced.

In light of these findings, Republicans might encounter lower turnout among women in upcoming elections, potentially impacting results. This analysis coincides with the noted absence of women in prominent anniversary events, such as the UFC match on the White House lawn.

Dr. Melissa K. Miller, a professor from Bowling Green State University, provided insight into this data. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material cannot be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.