Shock Poll: One in Five College Students Say U.S. Deserved 9/11
A Buckley Institute poll of 803 American undergraduates reveals sharply polarized views among college students: a notable minority express admiration for socialist ideals and a troubling fringe acceptance of past attacks, while attitudes toward U.S. ally relationships and free speech show further cultural divides. About 22% concur that the U.S. deserved 9/11, and roughly 42% prefer socialism over capitalism, the latter share marking the highest level in five years. A plurality favors Palestine over Israel as a U.S. ally, signaling growing anti-Israel sentiment on campuses. Respondents also largely oppose transgender competition in women’s sports and express mixed progress on racial equality and free speech, framing a broader shift in youth political culture. The findings accompany a conservative counter-mobilization initiative aiming to promote alternatives to socialist ideas in higher education for 2027 and beyond.
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The national survey was conducted September 5–14 among 803 American undergraduates, with a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points, and highlights a notable tilt toward socialist economic preference (42% vs 28% for capitalism, 30% undecided).
On geopolitics, 38% said Palestine would be a better U.S. ally than Israel, up 9 points from the previous year, illustrating rising pro-Palestinian sentiment on campuses.
Regarding 9/11 attitudes, 22% agreed that America deserved September 11, with 72% disagreeing and 6% unsure, linking student views to broader left-wing discourse surrounding U.S. foreign policy.
Transgender athletes, opinions split: a majority opposed allowing participation in the gender class they feel, while about a third supported broader inclusion, indicating nuanced views on sports policy among undergrads.
Racial equality and free speech were also surveyed, with half linking the U.S. to white supremacy and 50% seeing persistent exclusion from equality; 40% supported criminal penalties for offensive speech, while 52% disagreed, revealing contested norms around speech and equality.
The results are positioned within a broader conservative campaign, as the Young America’s Foundation launches the 'Freedom Not Socialism' initiative to mobilize students for 2027 and beyond, with high-profile speakers planned for the Reagan Ranch event.
The article repeatedly references media commentary and personalities connected to the radical left, notably Hasan Piker, and situates the poll within ongoing campus activism and ideological battles over U.S. political direction.