Skip to main content

Explore

  • History
  • Events
  • Track Record

About

  • Methodology
  • About
  • Sources
  • Changelog

Integrate

  • Data Export
  • Widget
  • Developers

Connect

  • Press
  • Funding
  • Contact

© 2026 Political Temperature Index

30-DAY TREND
H: 86.5L: 59.0AVG: 75.7

Historical temperature movement showing political tension over time. Spikes often correlate with major events.

CALMWATCHFULELEVATEDSEVERECRITICAL

For funders and partners interested in sustaining open civic-information infrastructure: funding & partnerships →

Political Temperature Index

LIVEBETA

A 0–100 measure of US political tension, recalculated twice daily across news, social, and legislative data.

Scores reflect evolving methodology and data sources

HistoryElectionsEventsTrack Record
MethodologyAboutFundingChangelog
WidgetAPI Docs
Menu
Dashboard
Explore
HistoryElectionsEventsTrack Record
About
MethodologyAboutFundingChangelog
Integrate
WidgetAPI Docs
0.0°
Elevated
▼ 3.524H
RHE -1.3INT +1.3
Based on 93% data confidence, the temperature likely falls between 71.0° and 77.0°0255075100
SUB-INDICESClick to expand

Five weighted components that combine to form the overall temperature score.

RHETORIC
10%
47.3▼ 6.6

Inflammatory language & toxicity in news coverage

POLARIZATION
30%
27.8▲ 1.2

Narrative divergence + topic siloing + coverage blindspots

VOLUME
30%
41.0

News & social media activity vs 30-day average

FRICTION
10%
40.8▼ 2.6

Party-line voting & congressional gridlock

INTENSITY
20%
62.6▲ 5.7

Breaking news severity from keywords, tone & events

HEAT SOURCE
R+21%
Left25%
from 26% of articles
Center29%
from 33% of articles
Right46%
from 42% of articles
In ContextSame-methodology comparison
TODAYJun 9
74.0Elevated
Current
7 DAYS AGOJun 2
74.3Elevated
-0.2 vs today
30 DAYS AGOMay 10
76.3Boiling
-2.2 vs today
6 MONTHS AGO
—
No data
Summary

The Political Temperature Index has cooled to 74.0°, reflecting a decline in political fervor as Trump's legal and electoral strategies dominate the news cycle.

  • •Trump vowed retaliation over a U.S. helicopter incident, adding 31.7 points and signaling a heightened focus on national security ahead of the elections.
  • •His claims of election fraud in California contributed 13.1 points, as he seeks to energize his base with unsubstantiated allegations.
  • •Senator Thom Tillis criticized GOP colleagues for supporting the SAVE America Act, adding 9.7 points and highlighting internal party divisions.
  • •The GOP's renewed emphasis on defunding Planned Parenthood contributed 9.0 points, indicating a strategic pivot toward social issues as a rallying cry for conservative voters.

Watch for developments on Trump's meeting with Speaker Johnson regarding surveillance laws and any new responses from Senate Democrats on the SAVE America Act.

TOP DRIVERS

Stories contributing most to today's temperature score. Click a row to see details.

#
Story
Heat
Articles
Bias
▶1
Trump Vows Retaliation Over U.S. Helicopter Incident
+31.7%
13
R
▶2
Trump Fuels Election Fraud Claims in California
+13.1%
18
C
▶3
Tillis Tears Into GOP Colleagues Over Support Of SAVE America Act
+9.7%
15
C
▶4
GOP Re-emphasizes Defunding Planned Parenthood as Key Priority
+9.0%
41
C
▶5
Adam Schiff calls for Senate to ‘vigorously oppose’
+8.2%
15
L
L=Left-heavy · C=Centered · R=Right-heavy
JUN 03 - JUN 09
NEXT UPDATE
ARTICLES16,740
SOCIAL12,861
VOTES120
SOURCES188
JUN 03 - JUN 09
NEXT UPDATE
ARTICLES16,740
SOCIAL12,861
VOTES120
SOURCES188