Documentary backdrop image for Inside the Polarization (2026)

2026113 minPGdocumentary

Inside the Polarization

2026113 minPGdocumentary

Partisanship during Barack Obama’s presidency created deep divisions in the U.S., setting the stage for Donald Trump’s political rise.

Genres

Channel: FRONTLINE PBS | Official

Inside the Polarization

2026• 113 minPG

Synopsis

Partisanship during Barack Obama’s presidency created deep divisions in the U.S., setting the stage for Donald Trump’s political rise.

Synopsis

Partisanship during Barack Obama's presidency set the stage for the polarized America that Donald Trump would inherit. The first episode of the two-part docuseries "Divided States of America" examines the political gridlock that characterized this era, highlighting key events and conflicts that deepened divisions within the country. Originally aired in 2017, this episode is now available on YouTube, part of an initiative to make FRONTLINE's documentary archive accessible for streaming. Episode two will be released on June 9, 2026.

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