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Half of Americans think post-9/11 wars were worth it, poll shows
United Kingdom🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive9/2/2026

Half of Americans think post-9/11 wars were worth it, poll shows

A YouGov poll reveals that nearly half of Americans believe the U.S.'s military actions and expanded surveillance measures following the 9/11 attacks were justified. The survey also indicates that almost the same proportion believes Muslims have been the most mistreated group since the attacks. The findings come amid the 25th anniversary of 9/11, which saw four hijacked planes, resulting in significant loss of life. The poll highlights a stark partisan divide, with 71% of Republicans supporting the actions compared to much lower support among Democrats. The survey included 1,098 U.S. adults aged 18 and older, conducted via web between August 20–23. Additionally, the poll suggests that just under half of respondents feel the U.S. is safer today than before 9/11, with strong support from Republicans.

US Democrats have sharply criticized the Trump administration for prolonging the conflict with Iran beyond its initial six-month timeline, accusing the White House of failing to bring the war to a close. The tensions escalated following a joint US-Israeli strike against Iranian targets on 28 February, which was originally intended to last several weeks. As of 31 August, the war had dragged on for nearly half a year, resulting in the loss of at least 18 American soldiers and exceeding $100 billion in military expenditures. Most of this funding was approved by the Republican-led Congress in late July, after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sought additional resources surpassing $60 billion. The prolonged engagement has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the administration’s strategy has led to unnecessary casualties and financial strain. During a press briefing on Friday, several members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus expressed frustration over the lack of progress toward a resolution. “This war shows no sign of ending,” one senator stated, emphasizing that the situation could negatively impact the party’s prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. The remarks come as Democrats continue to mobilize their base ahead of the November vote, capitalizing on public discontent with the administration’s handling of both foreign policy and economic conditions. Meanwhile, Trump’s approval ratings remain at a historic low, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos survey. The poll, conducted across 1,000 respondents nationwide, revealed that only 33 percent of voters approve of the president’s performance, a figure consistent with earlier readings from the same polling firm. This marks the lowest approval rating of Trump’s presidency, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with his leadership during the ongoing crisis. Inflation, which has surged to levels not seen since the early 2020s, has further eroded public confidence, with many voters blaming the administration for exacerbating the economic downturn. The war with Iran has become a focal point for critics on both sides of the aisle, though the consequences have been felt disproportionately by ordinary citizens. With inflation driving up the cost of essentials such as food and housing, many Americans are struggling to make ends meet while the government continues to allocate vast sums to military operations overseas. Some analysts suggest that the administration’s focus on the Middle East has diverted attention from domestic priorities, including infrastructure repair and healthcare reform, issues that have long been central to Democratic platforms. In response to mounting pressure, some Republican lawmakers have begun to question the wisdom of continued hostilities. A handful of congressional representatives from key swing districts have publicly called for a reassessment of the war strategy, citing the high human and financial toll. However, these voices remain in the minority within the party, as most GOP leaders continue to support the administration’s approach, framing the conflict as necessary for national security. As the midterm election approaches, the war with Iran is likely to play a pivotal role in shaping voter sentiment. With Democrats increasingly energized and Republicans facing internal divisions, the outcome of the contest will hinge on how effectively each side can frame the issues. For now, the conflict shows no signs of abating, leaving the nation in a state of sustained tension. The next major developments will depend on whether the administration can demonstrate tangible results, or whether the war will continue to drag on, deepening public disillusionment.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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3 reports

Reuters logoReutersIndependentProgressiveFactual 95Objective 988/31/2026
Trump's approval stuck at 33%; Democrats appear more fired up for midterms, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that President Donald Trump's approval rating remains stagnant at 33%. The survey suggests that Democratic voters are showing increased enthusiasm for the upcoming midterm elections. The findings highlight potential shifts in voter sentiment ahead of the midterms, though the article does not provide detailed breakdowns of specific demographics or geographic regions.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation by emphasizing the 'stagnation' of Trump's approval rating and highlights the heightened energy among Democrats, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective. It focuses on the potential advantage for Democratic candidates, suggesting a narrative that supports their'

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the key finding from the Reuters/Ipsos poll that Trump's approval rating is at 33%, consistent with prior data. It also mentions that Democrats appear more motivated for the midterms, aligning with the cross-source consensus from the second article.

Why objectivity (98): The article presents the information in a neutral tone, using straightforward language without emotional or biased phrasing. It avoids taking sides or injecting personal opinion.

Middle East Eye logoMiddle East EyeIndependentCenterFactual 94Objective 958/31/2026
Trump approval rating remains at record low, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that U.S. President Donald Trump's domestic approval rating remains at a record low, with only 33% of respondents approving of his leadership. This figure matches earlier polls conducted by Ipsos in August 2026, highlighting a consistent decline in public support. The survey was conducted among over 1,000 Americans nationwide and comes against the backdrop of ongoing military actions against Iran and rising inflation, factors that have contributed to the poor approval ratings. The findings underscore continued dissatisfaction with Trump's administration despite his ongoing tenure.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual polling data without overtly criticizing or praising Trump's policies. It reports the results objectively, focusing on the statistical outcome rather than taking a partisan stance. While the context of the war on Iran and inflation is mentioned, these are presented as背景f

Why factuality (94): The article correctly states that Trump's approval rating remains at a record low according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll, and it references the same 33% figure as the first article. The mention of the war on Iran and inflation provides additional contextual background, though not central to the core fa

Why objectivity (95): The article maintains a relatively neutral stance but includes some contextual elements like 'war on Iran' and 'rocketing inflation,' which may subtly frame the issue. However, it does not overtly favor one perspective or use emotionally charged language.

Middle East Eye logoMiddle East EyeIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 789/2/2026
Half of Americans think post-9/11 wars were worth it, poll shows

A YouGov poll reveals that nearly half of Americans believe the U.S.'s military actions and expanded surveillance measures following the 9/11 attacks were justified. The survey also indicates that almost the same proportion believes Muslims have been the most mistreated group since the attacks. The findings come amid the 25th anniversary of 9/11, which saw four hijacked planes, resulting in significant loss of life. The poll highlights a stark partisan divide, with 71% of Republicans supporting the actions compared to much lower support among Democrats. The survey included 1,098 U.S. adults aged 18 and older, conducted via web between August 20–23. Additionally, the poll suggests that just under half of respondents feel the U.S. is safer today than before 9/11, with strong support from Republicans.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the poll results neutrally, highlighting both majority and minority views without overtly favoring any side. It includes perspectives from different political groups and provides context about policies like the Patriot Act and the Department of Homeland Security. There is no明显的偏

Why factuality (85): The article reports on a YouGov poll showing that 48% of Americans believe the post-9/11 wars and surveillance measures were worth it, with 27% unsure and 25% not. It provides context about the 9/11 attacks and mentions political divisions between Republicans and Democrats. While the data is present

Why objectivity (78): The article presents the poll findings neutrally but includes some historical context and political comparison, which may subtly frame the issue. The mention of specific policies like the Patriot Act and Homeland Security adds depth but does not introduce overt bias. Overall, the tone remains inform

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