Political division in America is not that deep. Biden took a picture to prove it.

The political divide seems profound in America during an electoral year with radically opposed candidates and polarization. However, it might not be as bad as it seems, and President Biden had a moment to prove it.

During a commemoration of the 9/11 attacks in Pennsylvania, the President shared a laugh with a Trump supporter and exchanged hats, producing a viral photo that the Trump campaign seized.

According to the BBC’s recall, the President offered the man a White House cap, which he had signed. The man accepted and offered his Trump 2024 hat in return.

When the man asked Mr. Biden to wear it, he said, “I ain’t going that far,” but finally succumbed to the crowd pressure and wore it for a second, among cheers. Aside form the political implications, the moment showed a bridge between opposing people.

Photo: Instagram / Kelsey Simmers

The wholesome moment reflects American society more than expected. An April AP-NORC election poll showed that US Citizens agree on fundamental issues much more than it seems.

According to AP News, over 90% of Americans agree with the top three core values that define their country, and over 70% concur with four more.

Over 90% of Americans define three values as fundamental to their country: equal protection under the law, the right to vote, and freedom of speech.

Over 80% of US citizens agree that the right to privacy, the freedom of religion, and the right to assemble peacefully are fundamental American values.

The number is lower regarding the freedom of the press: 70% of Americans think it constitutes a fundamental right.

The number is even lower when discussing the right to keep and bear arms. Only 54% of Americans see it as an unalienable right.

That is the line where the political divide returns. According to AP News, most Republicans see the right to bear arms as fundamental, while Democrats feel the opposite.

Still, Michael Albertus, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, told AP News that if "normal people" gather in a room to discuss issues, they will often find more common ground than wedges.

The first part of the poll was a ray of sunshine, in contrast with the gloomy second part, which measured Americans' feelings about their democracy.

The poll found that only three in ten Americans believe the nation's democracy is functioning well, and five in ten think it works poorly. 14% think the US is not a democracy.

However, experts cited by AP News and ABC said there is a connection between discontent with democracy and agreement on core values.

Lilliana Mason, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University, told AP News that leaders do not reflect the electorate, as they behave much more polarized.