As the 2026 midterms approach, we're taking on a defining question in American politics: is MAGA the same as Trump, and is Trump the same as the Republican Party? MAGA has become the party's public face, yet many of Trump's own voters don't consider themselves part of the movement. We examine whether that coalition can hold together with Trump off the ballot, what happened the last time his name wasn't on it, and why one party is heading into November noticeably more motivated to vote than the other. It may be the clearest test yet of whether MAGA is bigger than the man who built it.

Then, we turn to criminal records. A person can be arrested, never convicted, and still carry a record for life, one that can affect their ability to find a job, rent a home, earn a professional license, or even vote. We look at how many Americans are living with a record, the rare bipartisan support for reforming how those records are used, and why, despite that agreement, so little has changed. We also examine how Americans view the prison system itself and why that view has held largely steady for a generation.

And for our fun fact, we go back to 1950, when Gallup asked Americans a simple question: can you swim?

Artificial intelligence may be transforming the way we work, but the infrastructure behind it is creating new questions for communities across the country. As demand for AI grows, so does the need for massive data centers that power everything from cloud computing to new AI tools. While supporters point to jobs, investment, and economic growth, many Americans are raising concerns about electricity use, water consumption, environmental impacts, and whether local communities should bear the costs of powering the AI revolution. And the issue is blasting into election campaigns across the country ahead of the mid-terms. Is this the sleeper issue of the year?

Next, we look at the growing conversation around mental health in the workplace. Stress and burnout remain widespread, especially among younger workers, and employees increasingly say that workplace well-being affects where they choose to work and whether they stay. We explore the push for mental health days, the rise of employer-sponsored mental health benefits, and the challenge of creating workplaces that support employees before problems become crises.

Finally, we test your knowledge with a fun fact from the past — when Gallup asked Americans in 1948 about their ideal home temperature. See how public preferences have changed and whether your guess matches the numbers.

Americans are spending more time, money, and energy trying to change how they look. Many adults want to lose weight; millions are using GLP-1 drugs, and the anti-aging industry continues to grow. For teens, appearance concerns are increasingly shaped by social media, with girls reporting especially high levels of pressure to look good. At the same time, the rise of looksmaxxing shows how boys and young men are also being drawn into increasingly intense, and sometimes dangerous, efforts to improve their appearance.

Next, we're talking about “job lock" -- that's what a growing number of workers are in by staying in jobs they would rather leave if not for the health insurance tied to employment. As healthcare costs rise, coverage is influencing whether Americans change careers, start businesses, or pursue work they find more fulfilling. With broad concern about affordability and continued debate over the Affordable Care Act, we ask whether health insurance should still be so closely connected to where someone works.

Finally, we are whistling while we work...well, some of us are anyway!

Politics is no longer confined to campaigns and government. It now appears across sports, music, movies, social media, and celebrity culture. In this episode, we explore how Americans feel about athletes and entertainers speaking on political and social issues, whether those messages influence public opinion, and why many people think politics has become too present in everyday life. And, we remember that, while this is not really new, from the 1968 Black US Olympians in Mexico City to politically-charged Oscars shows, it does seem more widespread than ever.

Then, we look at the continuing disability employment gap. More than 35 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, people with disabilities remain far less likely to be employed, even when they have comparable education and qualifications. Employer assumptions, inaccessible hiring practices, and concerns about accommodations can all create barriers. At the same time, the growth of remote work may be helping some people with physical disabilities enter or remain in full-time employment.

Finally, we revisit an old superstition: is opening an umbrella indoors really bad luck? And what about all those other things we do like tossing salt over your shoulder...or coins into the back seat of your new car? Turns out, we are a far more superstitious bunch than you (or we) might have thought.

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!