As we head into the holiday season and turn the corner into 2023, Americans are feeling pessimistic about the political divide and social media's potential to threaten the nation's democracy. The majority also expect political discussions to be excused from the family dinner table. These findings and others are revealed in a new research report released today by Benenson Strategy Group (BSG).

Please Don't Pass the Politics

"No politics at the dinner table" is a common request when families gather around the holidays, and BSG found most are adhering to this guideline. A 59% majority of Americans do not talk about politics at all with family over the holidays, and just 6% report arguing with family over politics. Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to talk politics with family than their Gen X and Boomer parents and grandparents.

That said, politics is never far from the holidays. Americans are divided politically and they're also divided about which party represents the Christmas spirit, with 52% saying Democrats and 48% saying Republicans. Democrats have a slight edge when the political parties are rated on Christmas metrics: 58% of Americans say that the Democratic party is more like Santa Claus and 57% say that the Republican party is more like the Grinch.

70% Expect More Political Discord and Discontent in 2023

Post midterm elections and heading into the holiday season, pessimism about our nation's politics is pervasive. The survey reveals 70% expect politics to be more divisive and contentious under the new divided Congress, while only 30% are hopeful that the election result will make government more productive. This gloomy outlook is non-partisan and shared among men and women, old and young, and urban and rural.

Likewise, three-quarters of Americans say a divided Congress will give extreme elements in both parties more influence over debates, making it harder to compromise and get things done.