25 Years Later, Polls Show What Sept. 11 Changed
In the months after Sept. 11, pollsters asked questions about virtually every aspect of the attack. Many of them updated their questions for years, but they don’t do so today. Here’s what we know now.
TL;DR
- 40% of Americans in a 2025 poll worried about another terrorist attack on U.S. soil, ranking behind economic concerns.
- A majority of Americans see international terrorism as a critical threat.
- 44% in a 2021 poll stated the U.S. was less safe than before 9/11.
- Confidence in the federal government's job in keeping the U.S. safe from terrorism has dropped from around 90% immediately after 9/11 to about 70% in recent polls.
- In a 2026 poll, 57% said government surveillance had increased significantly in the past 25 years, with more people feeling the government emphasizes security over privacy.
- Since 2003, pluralities of Americans have said neither the U.S. nor its allies are winning the war on terror.
- Patriotic spirit was high immediately after 9/11 but has returned to familiar, lower levels.
- George W. Bush's initial response boosted his public approval, but it fell as the war continued.
- Donald Trump, in a late 2024 poll, was trusted by 60% to keep the country safe from terrorism.