The political situation in the United States, the conflict in the Middle East, the price of gasoline and the presidency of Donald Trump do not prevent Americans from celebrating the 250e anniversary of the creation of the country.
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According to two Quebecers living in the United States, July 4 celebrations even offer the population a break from the whole political circus.
“People have, I think, a certain fatigue with this. And then it’s the time to maybe try to reunify and then forget what’s happening in our daily lives,” said Charles St-Maurice, a Florida resident, in an interview with LCN on Saturday.
The latter admits that Donald Trump’s personality and ego disturb part of the American population.
“We see it too much. Everything he does revolves around him. And then it’s not around the population, it’s not the population’s party, it’s like the party around Donald Trump,” laments the man who has lived in Florida for 22 years.
« The State Fair for the 250th anniversary celebrations, it doesn’t really work, it didn’t work. The crowds don’t go there, there aren’t many people, he adds. People, I think, are tired of seeing that it’s all centered around him.”
Charles St-Maurice, a Quebecer who has lived in Florida for 22 years, July 4, 2026
LCN screenshot
Pride in decline
According to a recent Gallup poll, 53% of United States citizens say they are proud to be Americans. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, pride levels were over 90%.
This drop does not greatly surprise Charles St-Maurice.
“We look at the political context, the division that exists, certain political decisions which influence the global level, at the local level too, which influence people, people’s quality of life. So, many have lost this pride,” he emphasizes.
The war in the Middle East and its impact on the American economy explains much of this weakened pride.
Despite everything, a little less than a third of Americans remain proud of their country.
“We have to ignore some of the political noise because the American population is very good people, very welcoming. My wife is American, my son is American,” testifies Michel Barakatt, a Quebecer who lives in the town of Rockwall, Texas.
Michel Barakatt, a Quebecer who resides in Rockwall, Texas, July 4, 2026
LCN screenshot
According to the latter, a very large number of Americans have the ability to compartmentalize the domestic and international political situation in order to take full advantage of the July 4 celebrations.
“My pride is still the same. We’re going to take care of political things in the fall during the midterm elections, we’ll see what happens then. But today, we’re celebrating,” he sums up.
To see the full interview, watch the video above.
