Former NFL star Jason Kelce came under fire from left-wing activists after posting a patriotic Independence Day message on Instagram. Kelce, a retired Philadelphia Eagles center, celebrated the Fourth of July with a heartfelt tribute to unity and national pride, writing, “Man, I love the 4th! One of the great days we all can set aside our differences in this country, and enjoy the one thing we all share in common. That we are American!”
Kelce’s message was quickly met with hostility from critics who accused him of being “tone deaf” and “out of touch.” One commenter claimed he was ignoring suffering caused by current events and legislation, saying, “They signed the worst bill for so many Americans today just to rub it in our faces.” Another accused Kelce of supporting oppression simply for expressing patriotism, saying, “When you choose to ‘put aside’ or neutral, you are choosing the oppressor.”
Other replies followed a similar tone, with commenters labeling Kelce’s post insensitive and irrelevant to their political grievances. One user declared, “We actually can’t just set aside our differences,” while another insisted, “This is not real life for many.”
Despite the backlash, Kelce’s message struck a chord with many Americans who still believe in the importance of national pride. His post received over 155,000 likes and thousands of supportive comments praising his positive outlook and love for country.
The outrage highlights a growing divide in American culture over patriotism itself. A recent Gallup poll shows that only 36 percent of Democrats say they are proud to be an American—down significantly from prior years. Meanwhile, Republican patriotism has remained strong, regardless of political leadership in Washington.
Kelce, like many Americans, used Independence Day to celebrate unity and shared identity. The response from the left shows just how controversial basic expressions of patriotism have become in some circles.
