Kelsey Grammer charged that American schools are deliberately teaching children to see the United States as a “crap country,” a trend he calls “basically child abuse” and blames on a coordinated effort within the education system.
Grammer, a longtime actor and outspoken conservative, made his remarks ahead of an upcoming appearance on Katie Miller’s podcast. In comments reported by USA TODAY, Grammer argued that the nation’s educators have “really dropped the ball”, not by accident, but intentionally. He claimed, “They don’t like the idea that we are a great country.” Grammer described a “plot” within the education system, insisting, “Something in our education system decided to... teach our children that the United States is a ‘crap country.’”
Grammer’s frustration runs deeper than a political talking point. He described the impact on children’s self-worth, saying, “If you were learning that from your teachers, we believe our teachers. And if they say things like, ‘You come from a crap country,’ well, you start to think, ‘Well, maybe they’re right. I wonder why I come from a crap place.’” He warned that this process leads young people to question not just their country, but themselves and even their families: “So you end up searching your soul for why you’re not a good person. Why you aren’t good anymore. Why our country isn’t good. So that means mom and dad aren’t very good either, are they? And there’s a whole series of questions that come into it.”
Grammer did not stop at criticism. He called the effect of this educational approach “basically child abuse,” adding, “It is basically child abuse what we do with our children.” He described the mindset as more than a theory: “It’s not a theory. It’s a conspiracy. Someone conspired to introduce the idea that we aren’t a good country through our educational system.”
Motivated by these concerns, Grammer co-founded the American Revelation Foundation, an education nonprofit aimed at exploring and celebrating “the nation’s history, founding principles, and enduring values.” He explained, “I wanted to change that,” referring to the direction he sees in American schools.
This is not the first time Grammer has spoken publicly about what he sees as the dangers of undermining American identity. He has called for a return to the nation’s founding ideals, as highlighted in his recent comments on how the Founding Fathers provided a blueprint for national unity even in divided times. (See our coverage of Grammer’s views on America’s political divisions.)
Grammer’s comments come as a growing number of prominent Americans call for renewed focus on patriotism and the teaching of U.S. history. His American Revelation Foundation was launched in the run-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Grammer’s advocacy joins a broader cultural movement, with other celebrities, such as those featured in our piece on stars proud to love America, voicing similar concerns about what is taught in schools and celebrated in public life.
Grammer’s patriotic streak was also evident earlier this year when he called out critics of America’s historic symbols and offered a prayer for the nation as it approaches its semiquincentennial. (Read more on Grammer’s patriotic statements.)
Grammer, now 71, has not ruled out entering politics himself. He told USA TODAY that running for office would “possibly tick that box for me, in terms of the service I feel I should have given to my fellow man, to my fellow countrymen, that I missed in the military. Maybe [running for office] would be the way to do it.” This echoes previous statements in which Grammer signaled he might enter politics out of a sense of duty, as detailed in our report on his potential political ambitions.
Grammer’s criticisms are part of a larger battle over the soul of American education. Debates continue about whether schools are teaching history in a way that fosters pride or resentment, and whether efforts to “reckon” with the nation’s past have gone too far. While Grammer’s language is strong, calling the trend a “conspiracy” and “child abuse”, his perspective reflects a growing frustration among those who believe the American story is being rewritten in the classroom.
As the nation approaches its 250th birthday, more public figures and ordinary Americans are likely to join the fight over whether our children will be taught to love or to loathe the country they inherit. That is a choice with consequences no parent or taxpayer can afford to ignore.
