Survey on US campuses: 22% think America deserved 9/11

A Buckley Institute survey of 803 American students found that 22% agreed with the statement that America deserved 9/11. 45% justified violence to prevent hate speech, and 38% viewed Palestine as a better ally for the US than Israel.

An annual survey by the Buckley Institute, published on October 8, 2026, found that 22% of American undergraduate students under 25 agreed with the statement that America "deserved" 9/11. The survey was conducted among 803 students by Inquire between September 5 and 14, 2026. 11% strongly agreed and 11% somewhat agreed, while 63% strongly disagreed and 9% somewhat disagreed. 7% were unsure. Additionally, 45% agreed that physical violence could be justified to prevent hate speech, and 46% supported shouting and disruptions against campus speakers. On attitudes toward Israel, 38% chose Palestine as a better ally for the US compared to 25% who chose Israel, and 47% expressed a negative view of Israel versus 27% positive. The Buckley Institute notes that these are attitudes reported by survey participants, not a measure of actual actions.