# Today's Poll Question: Are Americans hopelessly divided and increasingly hateful?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smerconish-podcast-4474155/today-s-poll-question-are-americans-hopelessly-divided-and-increasingly-hateful
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smerconish-podcast-4474155/today-s-poll-question-are-americans-hopelessly-divided-and-increasingly-hateful.md
Podcast: [The Smerconish Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smerconish-podcast-4474155)
Published: 2026-05-05T12:06:46+00:00
Episode link: https://www.siriusxm.com
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/sxm.simplecastaudio.com/d49edecb-af71-4e40-b63b-f7bdc3faae1b/episodes/4594652f-f4fd-4fca-a1f8-40656d15242a/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=d49edecb-af71-4e40-b63b-f7bdc3faae1b&awEpisodeId=4594652f-f4fd-4fca-a1f8-40656d15242a&feed=Dv1m2CJC
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Duration seconds: 758

## Resource

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: 'True or false? Americans are hopelessly divided and increasingly hateful.' Michael challenges the dominant narrative of a fractured America, drawing on insights from Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei and broader social data. While cable news and social media amplify conflict, most Americans remain disconnected from that noise—focused instead on work, family, and community. Listen in as Michael explores how algorithms, declining shared experiences, and social “self-sorting” create the illusion of division, even as acts of generosity and civic engagement tell a different story. Is the country truly coming apart—or are we being misled about who we really are? Be sure to vote at Smerconish.com, and rate, review and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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## Transcript

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