A new survey from the Freedom Forum suggests that many Americans remain afraid to freely express their views, but more say they speak freely than they have over the past two years.
The newly released Where America Stands study suggests that 60 percent of respondents are afraid to express themselves, though that number is well down from the 71 percent who were fearful two years ago.
Why do Americans hide their views in 2026? The Freedom Forum concludes that:
- 33 percent fear a violent response.
- 30 percent fear a tense reaction from friends and family.
- 26 percent fear being perceived in a certain way.
- 25 percent fear losing their jobs.
- 24 percent said they fear government retaliation.
On the positive side of the ledger, 36 percent say that nothing can keep them from speaking freely, up from just 29 percent in 2024.
More alarming is the percentage of Americans who appear to believe the First Amendment provides too much freedom.
“While most Americans said the First Amendment is vital to America, nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) say the First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees,” the report says. This is a significant jump from 13% last year and the highest recorded percentage since 2020. This point of view is highest among current college students, with 34% saying it goes too far.”
The most positive finding in the study indicates that most Americans recognize the value of the First Amendment, with 91 percent saying it is “vital to America.”
The full Where America Stands report can be found on the Freedom Forum site.
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