Revisiting The Newsroom: Is America Great Yet?

In 2012, HBO’s “The Newsroom” premiered with a scene that would become one of television’s most shared political clips. Will McAvoy, played by Jeff Daniels, delivered a scathing critique of American exceptionalism that resonated with millions. The words, penned by creator Aaron Sorkin, captured a particular moment in American anxiety—and continue to echo today.

When asked by a college student why America is the greatest country in the world, McAvoy, after initial reluctance, unleashed a statistical broadside:

“There’s absolutely no evidence to support the statement that we’re the greatest country in the world. We’re 7th in literacy, 27th in math, 22nd in science, 49th in life expectancy, 178th in infant mortality, 3rd in median household income, 4th in labor force, and 4th in exports. We lead the world in only three categories: number of incarcerated citizens per capita, number of adults who believe angels are real, and defense spending…”¹

Sorkin’s monologue, delivered through McAvoy’s character, captured a particular American anxiety—that our nation was losing its exceptional status. But how do those statistics hold up today, nearly 13 years later? Has America’s position improved or deteriorated? And what might Sorkin write for McAvoy if he delivered that speech in 2025, as we navigate the early months of Donald Trump’s second presidency?

America Then and Now: By the Numbers

Let’s examine Sorkin’s claims (through McAvoy) against current data to see how America’s standing has shifted:

Education Rankings

In 2012, McAvoy claimed America ranked 7th in literacy, 27th in math, and 22nd in science. Today, these metrics paint a more complex picture.

According to the most recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results from 2022, the United States ranked 29th in mathematics, 14th in reading, and 18th in science among OECD countries.² Our math scores show particular cause for concern, having declined to their lowest levels since PISA testing began in 2000.

Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, President of the Learning Policy Institute, notes: “The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing inequities in our education system, exposing structural weaknesses that have long hindered American students’ progress relative to their international peers. Recovery requires not just additional resources but fundamental rethinking of how we deliver education.”³

While our reading rank has technically improved, this reflects more on methodology changes and other countries’ performance than genuine progress. Our science ranking has improved slightly, but remains outside the top tier of nations.

Health Metrics

McAvoy cited America as 49th in life expectancy and 178th in infant mortality—startling figures for the wealthiest nation on earth.

Current data shows the United States now ranks 46th globally in life expectancy at 79.11 years.⁴ While this represents a slight improvement in ranking, our actual life expectancy has experienced unprecedented declines in recent years, dropping nearly three years between 2019 and 2021 due to COVID-19 and the ongoing opioid crisis.⁵

On infant mortality, the United States now ranks 33rd among OECD nations at 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births.⁶ This appears to be a dramatic improvement from McAvoy’s claim, but reflects differences in measurement methodology rather than substantial progress. The U.S. still maintains the highest infant mortality rate among wealthy nations.

Economic Indicators

McAvoy positioned America as 3rd in median household income and 4th in labor force participation.

Current figures show the United States ranks 4th globally in median household income at approximately $46,000 annually.⁷ However, this figure masks growing income inequality. The top 1% of American earners have captured 38% of all wealth growth since the 1980s, while the bottom 50% have seen minimal gains.⁸

Labor force participation has fallen from 63.7% in 2012 to 62.5% in early 2025, placing the U.S. 38th globally—a significant decline from our previous ranking.⁹

As Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz observed in a recent interview: “America’s economy continues to perform well in aggregate terms, but the distribution of those gains remains profoundly unequal. The metrics that matter most to average citizens—wage growth, economic security, and opportunity for advancement—lag significantly behind our peer nations.”¹⁰

Incarceration Rates

Perhaps most infamously, McAvoy declared America first in incarceration rates. Sadly, this distinction remains unchallenged. The United States still incarcerates more people per capita than any other nation, with approximately 639 people per 100,000 in prisons and jails.¹¹ While this represents a decrease from approximately 760 per 100,000 in 2012, we maintain our global “lead” by a substantial margin.

Defense Spending

McAvoy cited America’s defense spending as another area where we “lead the world.” This remains accurate. The United States spent $877 billion on defense in 2024, more than the next nine countries combined.¹² As a percentage of GDP, however, our military spending has declined slightly from 4.2% in 2012 to approximately 3.5% today.

What McAvoy Missed: New Metrics of National Success

While Sorkin’s statistics (via McAvoy) focused on traditional measures of national success, today’s conversation requires examination of additional metrics:

Climate Action and Sustainability

The climate crisis has accelerated since 2012, with global temperatures repeatedly breaking records. The Environmental Performance Index now ranks the United States 43rd globally in environmental performance, behind most developed nations and many developing ones.¹³ Our carbon emissions per capita remain among the highest globally, though they have declined slightly since 2012.

Dr. Katherine Hayhoe, climate scientist and chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, warns: “The window for preventing the worst impacts of climate change continues to narrow. While the U.S. made progress under certain administrations, we’ve lacked the consistent policy commitment that countries like Denmark and Germany have maintained across political transitions.”¹⁴

Democratic Stability

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index now ranks the United States as a “flawed democracy,” placing it 26th globally—down from 21st in 2012.¹⁵ The January 6th Capitol riot, increasing polarization, and challenges to election integrity have raised new questions about American democratic resilience that wouldn’t have registered in Sorkin’s 2012 calculus.

Technological Leadership

While not mentioned in McAvoy’s original critique, America’s technological edge has faced new challenges. China has surpassed the United States in patent applications, 5G implementation, and certain areas of artificial intelligence research.¹⁶ However, America still leads in venture capital funding, university research, and overall innovation ecosystems.

The Trump Administration’s Second Term: Early Trajectory

As we assess America’s standing in early 2025, we must consider how President Trump’s return to office might impact our national trajectory on these metrics.

The administration’s early policy priorities—including significant tax cuts, regulatory rollbacks, and restrictive immigration policies—mirror many first-term initiatives. While proponents argue these will spur economic growth, independent analyses suggest more complex outcomes for America’s global standing.

Economic Outlook

Trump’s economic agenda centers on tariffs, tax policies favoring high earners and corporations, and deregulation. Moody’s Analytics projects these policies will likely boost short-term GDP growth but potentially exacerbate wealth inequality and increase federal deficits.¹⁷

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, notes: “The combination of tax cuts and tariffs creates a complex economic picture. While we may see short-term stimulus effects, the longer-term impact on American competitiveness, government finances, and income distribution poses significant challenges to our economic standing globally.”¹⁸

Democratic Institutions

Trump’s challenges to election results in 2020 and continued claims of election fraud have raised concerns among governance experts. The administration’s early moves to restructure federal agencies and expand executive authority have prompted debate about democratic norms.

Professor Daniel Ziblatt, co-author of “How Democracies Die,” observes: “American democratic institutions are facing their most significant stress test since the Civil War. The combination of polarization, institutional degradation, and the weaponization of disinformation creates vulnerabilities that would have been unimaginable a generation ago.”¹⁹

Environmental Policy

The administration has already moved to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time and roll back environmental regulations. The EPA has begun revising emissions standards and limiting enforcement actions.

Former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican, expressed concern: “Environmental protection has unfortunately become a partisan issue, but clean air and water shouldn’t be. The dismantling of science-based regulations puts America at odds with global consensus and could cement our position as a laggard rather than a leader in environmental performance.”²⁰

International Relations

Early signals from the administration indicate a continuation of “America First” policies that prioritize bilateral deals over multilateral engagement. This approach may impact America’s global influence and soft power.

Richard Haass, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, commented: “American leadership has historically depended on both hard power and moral authority. When we retreat from international institutions and norms that we helped create, we create vacuums that others will fill—often in ways that don’t align with our interests or values.”²¹

The Spirit of McAvoy’s Argument

Beyond specific statistics, Sorkin’s speech resonated because it challenged blind patriotism while still expressing faith in American potential:

“The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one. America is not the greatest country in the world anymore. But it can be.”¹

This tension—between critical assessment and patriotic aspiration—remains relevant. The speech wasn’t anti-American; it was pro-accountability.

In today’s polarized climate, where criticism of America is often equated with disloyalty, Sorkin’s message takes on new significance. Honest assessment isn’t unpatriotic—it’s essential for progress.

Greatness in Context: A More Nuanced View

What constitutes “greatness” in a nation? Is it purely statistical leadership? Cultural influence? Military power? Moral standing?

The Nordic countries consistently outrank America in happiness, equality, social mobility, and quality of life. Yet America leads in cultural exports, military capability, and entrepreneurial dynamism.

Perhaps the entire framing of Sorkin’s monologue—and our national conversation—needs recalibration. Rather than asking if we’re “the greatest,” we might ask: Are we becoming greater? Are we building a more perfect union? Are we addressing our failures while building on our strengths?

Where Do We Go From Here?

If Sorkin wrote a similar speech today, he might acknowledge areas of progress—declining crime rates in many cities, increased health insurance coverage, and dramatic advances in renewable energy deployment.

But he would likely note new challenges: democratic backsliding, climate vulnerability, an ongoing mental health crisis, and persistent racial inequities that have become more visible but not less real.

The path to renewal remains similar to what McAvoy ultimately advocated: honest assessment, collective responsibility, and the courage to face problems rather than deny them.

Conclusion: Beyond American Exceptionalism

The enduring popularity of Sorkin’s speech suggests Americans sense a disconnect between our national mythology and our lived reality. We still possess immense advantages—unparalleled higher education, incredible natural resources, and a dynamic, diverse population. But our challenges have evolved since 2012, requiring new metrics and new aspirations.

True patriotism means wanting your country to live up to its highest ideals. It means acknowledging failures while working toward solutions. Sorkin’s critique wasn’t a rejection of America but a call to make it better.

As we navigate the challenges of 2025 and beyond, perhaps the most American response isn’t to insist we’re already great, but to commit to the ongoing project of becoming greater—more just, more sustainable, more democratic, and more faithful to the promise that all people are created equal.