In a week where one Senator died and another released hospital photos after public questions about whether or not he was alive, we're looking at what Americans think about our elderly political class. While Americans remain deeply divided on many political issues, there is broad bipartisan agreement on proposals like congressional age limits and term limits. This week, the Poll Hub team explores what the latest polling reveals about how Americans view the age of their leaders, why the issue has gained new urgency, and what the public wants the future of political leadership to look like.

Then, we turn to America's changing relationship with reading. While roughly the same share of Americans continue to read at least one book each year, people are reading fewer books than they did in the past—and increasingly choosing e-books and audiobooks over print. At the same time, reading for pleasure has declined, especially among younger generations, as books compete with streaming, social media, and other forms of digital entertainment. We break down what the latest polling reveals about how Americans' reading habits are evolving, who is driving these changes, and what they may say about the way we spend our time and attention.

And, we finish with a fun fact from the 80's about whether people have visited a fortune teller.

This week on Poll Hub, we begin with the complicated relationship between the United States and China. Americans see China as one of the country’s most important global rivals, especially when it comes to trade, technology, national security, and influence abroad. But public opinion is not only about conflict. Many Americans also understand that China remains deeply connected to the U.S. economy, making the relationship one that is difficult to define in simple terms.

Next, we look at a different kind of trust: the trust Americans have in one another. While declining confidence in government and major institutions often gets the most attention, social trust has also weakened over time. Fewer Americans say most people can be trusted, and that decline can shape how people interact with neighbors, participate in their communities, and respond to shared problems.

Finally, our fun fact takes us back to 1939, when young Americans were asked about iced tea. The results offer a light summer snapshot of what youth thought about one of the season’s classic drinks.

America on its 250th birthday. As the country prepares to mark the occasion, public opinion shows a complicated picture of national pride. While many Americans still say they are proud to be American, that pride is not felt equally across political parties, generations, or views of the country’s future. This week, the Poll Hub team looks at what American pride means today and how it compares with earlier moments in U.S. history.

Then, we turn to another major generational moment: the oldest Baby Boomers turning 80. As millions of Americans enter older age, questions about death, caregiving, wills, and end-of-life planning are becoming more urgent. Polling shows that Americans often understand the importance of these conversations, but many still delay making concrete plans or discussing their wishes with loved ones. We break down what the data reveals about America’s comfort with death, and its lack of preparation for it.

And, finally, we end with a look back at how Americans once felt about shifting major holidays to Mondays for longer weekends.

More Americans than ever identify as LGBTQ+, but the story of acceptance in the United States is becoming more complicated. As Pride Month comes to a close, we look at new polling that shows LGBTQ+ visibility at a record high, while public acceptance has slipped in recent years, and we are joined by Michael Bronski, whose landmark book, A Queer History of the United States for Young People, has just been re-released in a revised and expanded 15th anniversary edition. The updated volume now spans more than 500 years of history, bringing the story of LGBTQ+ Americans into the 21st century. We discuss how recent data also points to a widening partisan divide over LGBTQ+ rights, same-sex relationships, and transgender Americans.

Finally, we wrap up with a lighter topic: would Americans rather have an extra week of vacation or an extra week of pay?

In our latest poll with NPR and PBS News, Donald Trump hits several record lows on his approval among Americans. The economy appears to be the main driver of this as rising costs continue to shape daily decisions, from filling up at the gas pump to planning a summer getaway. While most Americans still expect to take a vacation, many say financial pressures have forced them to adjust their plans. We also look at the political implications of those economic concerns as President Trump's ratings continue to slide. His approval on the economy has fallen to a new low in Marist Polling, and his overall job approval now stands at the lowest point of his second term.

Then, we turn to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and whether Americans are actually ready for the world's biggest sporting event. While the tournament is larger than ever, with 48 nations, 104 matches, and a final at MetLife Stadium, most Americans say they are not especially interested. We look at why public excitement remains relatively muted, why expectations for the U.S. team are modest, and how concerns about affordability have made attending a match feel out of reach for many fans. We also examine the controversy surrounding ICE's role at stadiums and the fierce partisan divide over immigration enforcement at the tournament.

And, we finish of with a fun fact and lively discussion about hand dominance.

This week, Poll Hub examines the intersection of space exploration, private wealth, and public trust. SpaceX is preparing for a historic IPO that will make the company the most valuable in the world, at least for a time. It should also push Elon Musk’s personal wealth to a level never seen before. The conversation goes beyond the stock market to ask what this moment says about concentrated wealth in America, the role billionaires (and now trillionaires) play in public life, and how Americans view the relationship between money, influence, and power.

We also examine the future of the U.S. space program after Blue Origin’s rocket explosion at Cape Canaveral. The setback comes at a critical time for NASA’s Artemis program and raises broader questions about the country’s reliance on private space companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX to reach the moon and, eventually, Mars. Public opinion shows that Americans remain proud of NASA and supportive of space exploration, but they are far less certain about whether private companies can deliver on ambitious timelines. The segment explores the tension between national pride, scientific ambition, and practical doubt.

And, for the fun fact, we look at a poll from 2008 that asked about the price Americans would pay to see the stars. The spread from $1 to $20k is kinda amazing!

We’re looking at one of the fastest-growing crime problems in America: scams. From fake texts and phone calls to online attacks and fraudulent charges, scams have become a constant part of daily life for many Americans. But the data challenge a common assumption: older adults are not the only ones being targeted. Younger and lower-income Americans are often more likely to report being victimized, while many people never report scams at all because they feel embarrassed, do not know where to turn, or assume nothing can be done. We break down who is getting scammed, how much money Americans are losing, and whether the government or technology companies are doing enough to protect people.

Then, we turn to family size and the growing gap between the number of children Americans say is ideal and the number they are actually having. The U.S. fertility rate has reached another historic low, even as many Americans still say two or three children is the ideal family size. Rising costs, delayed marriage, childcare concerns, and changing life priorities are all part of the picture. We look at why more adults say they may never have children, why concern about the declining birth rate is growing, and why many Americans still do not want the government involved in encouraging people to have more kids.

And, for the fun fact, we explore what Americans think may happen after this life...or what happened before it!

We’re exploring a growing sense of disconnection in America. From loneliness to broader feelings of dissatisfaction, many people — especially men — are struggling to find meaningful connection, purpose, and support. What was once dismissed as a personal issue is now increasingly being framed as a public health concern, with the former Surgeon General even declaring an “epidemic of loneliness.” We break down what the latest research says about the rise in isolation, why young men appear to be disproportionately affected, and what may be driving this trend — from changing relationship patterns and declining social interaction to technology and shifting expectations around work, identity, and community. We also ask whether loneliness is the problem, itself, or a symptom of something deeper about how Americans are living, working, and relating to one another. 

Then, we talk about one of the most overlooked human senses: smell. For millions of Americans, especially after COVID-19, losing the ability to smell has become an unexpected and often lasting reality. But researchers say this is about far more than simply missing flavors or scents. Smell is uniquely tied to memory and emotion, serving as a direct pathway to the parts of the brain responsible for nostalgia, emotional connection, and even cognitive function. As scientists learn more about the long-term effects of smell loss, questions are emerging about its links to mental health, memory decline, and everyday safety. We take a closer look at why this once “neglected sense” may actually be far more important than many of us ever realized — and what happens when people lose a key way of experiencing and remembering the world. 

And, for the fun fact, we're asking for the second week in a row, where Americans want to take a summer vacation. This time from 1939.

Americans overwhelmingly oppose partisan gerrymandering in principle, with large bipartisan majorities saying congressional maps should not be drawn to favor one party and strongly supporting independent commissions over politicians controlling the process. However, attitudes become more partisan in practice, as many Democrats and Republicans support gerrymandering when it benefits their own side, revealing a tension between support for fairness and political self-interest, even as majorities say partisan redistricting is bad for democracy.

Then, Americans spent a record $104.7 billion on lottery tickets in 2024, nearly double what they spent in 2008, and the growth has been nearly uninterrupted for over a decade. The most common form of play is the scratch-off ticket, purchased by more than a third of American adults in the past year, followed closely by jackpot games like Powerball and Mega Millions. The median gambler wagers just $120 a year, but a small share of heavy players pulls the average to over $1,000, suggesting that for most Americans, lottery play is a modest, recurring habit rather than a serious financial strategy. States collect the difference between what players spend and what they win, directing those proceeds, now $34.5 billion annually, toward education, infrastructure, and public services. The lottery, in other words, is simultaneously one of the country's most popular forms of entertainment and one of its least examined public finance mechanisms. Most players lose. Most states depend on them doing so.

Finally, a fun fact for the unofficial start of summer this long holiday weekend. A question about vacations that leaves us a little confused about the answers offered.

This week, we’re taking a closer look at one of the few issues that appears to unite Americans across the political spectrum: concern about money in politics. From campaign spending and lobbying to billionaire influence and “dark money,” recent polling suggests large majorities of Americans believe wealth and special interests now hold too much power in shaping elections and political decision-making. Many also say the current system weakens democracy and creates the appearance of corruption, concerns that cut across party lines. At the same time, campaign finance reform has historically struggled to become a top public priority, even as election spending continues to reach record highs. In this segment, we break down what Americans think about the role of money in politics, why these concerns have become so widespread, and what they reveal about trust in the political system today.

We’re also examining how pets are increasingly becoming central to American family life. Pet ownership has reached record levels in the United States, and nearly all pet owners now describe their animals as part of the family. For many younger Americans especially, pets are not just companions but emotional anchors, sources of stability, and in some cases even substitutes for traditional milestones like marriage or parenthood. At the same time, the share of households with children continues to decline, while spending on pets continues to rise. In this segment, we explore what these changing attitudes toward pets reveal about shifting ideas surrounding family, adulthood, caregiving, and modern American life.

And finally, for our fun fact we are breaking down our dreams. Do you remember the details, the vibes, or nothing at all?