A new national survey has uncovered disturbing attitudes among American college students, with more than one in five agreeing that the United States “deserved” the September 11 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
The poll, conducted by the Buckley Institute and first reported by the New York Post, found that 22% of undergraduates surveyed endorsed the statement “America deserved Sept. 11,” while 72% disagreed and 6% were unsure. The survey sampled 803 students nationwide between September 5-14 and carries a 3.5 percentage point margin of error.
Socialism Gains Ground on Campus
Perhaps even more striking were the economic preferences revealed in the survey. When asked which system they would prefer to live under, 42% of students chose socialism compared to just 28% favoring capitalism, with 30% undecided. This marks the highest level of socialist support in the five years the question has been asked.
Nearly half (47%) agreed that “While socialist countries like Cuba and the Soviet Union have not been perfect, they offer a better economic model than capitalist countries like the United States.” Only 33% viewed U.S.-style capitalism as superior.
Foreign Policy Views Shift Dramatically
The survey also detected significant changes in students’ geopolitical perspectives. When asked whether Palestine or Israel would make a better U.S. ally, 38% chose Palestine compared to just 25% selecting Israel – a 9-point swing away from the Jewish state compared to last year’s results.
These findings come amid increased pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses and growing criticism of Israel among younger Americans. The results appear to align with the rhetoric of far-left commentators like Hasan Piker, who has previously claimed America “deserved 9/11” and alleged U.S. forces have committed more terrorism than al Qaeda.
Culture War Issues Divide Students
The poll also explored several hot-button cultural issues:
– On transgender athletes in women’s sports, 53% said biological differences make such participation unfair, while 33% supported allowing athletes to compete as their identified gender.
– Regarding racial progress, 50% claimed America remains fundamentally tied to white supremacy, while just 39% believed the country continues extending equality to more people.
– On free speech, 40% said “offensive speech” should be criminally prosecuted, versus 52% who disagreed.
The Buckley Institute, named after conservative icon William F. Buckley Jr., conducts this annual survey to track ideological trends among college students. The latest results have prompted conservative groups like Young America’s Foundation to launch new initiatives countering socialist ideas on campus.
Source: www.breitbart.com โ https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2026/11/11/34146602shock-poll-one-in-five-college-students-say-u-s-deserved-911-nearly-half-want-socialism/