Americans Disapprove of Continued Foreign War Spending
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Key Takeaways
- Overall, the more the public discusses each country receiving foreign aid, the more the public disapproves of it.
- Low levels of support for increased foreign aid are indicative of a general anti-war sentiment and likely a desire for America-first policies, specifically stronger border security.
- Causes of disapproval for increased foreign aid differ depending on the country. For example, debates over Israel are for religious and cultural reasons, Ukraine for political reasons, and Taiwan for economic reasons.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
100,000
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
7 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
Israel
Public commentary about a foreign aid bill to Israel reveals largely political divisions, with an array of sentiments across different voter groups and demographics.
Republicans
A strong sentiment of support for Israel is evident. Many Republicans express concern about Iran's attacks on Israel and emphasize the need for the U.S. to back Israel. They also highlight the role of the U.S. in ensuring Israel's security and the need for Congress to act in support of Israel.
Democrats
There’s a mixed bag of opinions among Democrats. Some express concern about the U.S. getting involved in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, suggesting it's not in our best interest to get dragged into a potential war. However, other Democrats acknowledge the need for some form of aid to Israel but suggest the U.S. should impose strict political conditions on any such aid. They also express concern about the potential for the situation to escalate into a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Independents
Divided overall, Independents express support for Israel and condemn Iran's actions but also question why the U.S. should be involved in the conflict. There's also an undercurrent of frustration about U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, with some Independents suggesting America should stay out of the conflict altogether.
There is also a narrative that connects the situation in Israel with the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, suggesting aid for both countries should be considered simultaneously. Some people express frustration that Ukraine is not receiving the same level of support as Israel.
Among various demographics, there is a correlation between religious beliefs and the level of support for Israel. Some use religious texts to justify supporting Israel, suggesting a strong connection between religious beliefs and political opinions on this issue.
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Ukraine
Republicans
The Republicans and conservatives are quite divided. Some still voice strong support for providing aid. However, there are large swaths of right leaning voters who vehemently oppose sending more American tax dollars to Ukraine. Many in this group use strong language to emphasize what they view as a misuse of American funds. They do not want to spend money abroad while domestic issues are being neglected – particularly the crisis at the southern border. They also accuse RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) of betraying their party by supporting more foreign aid.
Democrats
A significant portion of Democrats remain strong advocates for providing taxpayer-funded aid to Ukraine. Many express their support or say they’ve signed petitions to get military aid to Ukraine. They criticize hold-ups in Congress and believe that helping Ukraine is essential for democracy.
Independents
Independent views seem to be scattered. Some express concern about escalating tensions and potential war, suggesting the U.S. should refrain from fueling the conflict by sending aid. Others seem frustrated about the U.S. providing aid abroad when there are urgent domestic issues.
Across all groups, there is a growing disapproval for sending tax dollars abroad while economic and border security issues worsen at home. There is also a perceived correlation between aid to Ukraine and Israel, with many seeing these as linked issues. Disparate political opinions about Ukraine and Israel seem to confuse the issue of foreign aid overall.
Some advocate for separate aid packages, depending on which conflict they have more sympathy for. Certain critics question the decision to allocate more aid to Ukraine than to Israel. They express skepticism about Ukraine's governance, citing President Zelensky's background as a comedian and actor and questioning his alleged ties to the CIA.
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Taiwan and China
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Again, analysis of a proposed foreign aid bill to Taiwan reveals a broad range of viewpoints, falling mostly along political lines. However, these viewpoints largely focus on the geopolitical implications of the proposed foreign aid, with many users discussing the broader context of international alliances and conflicts.
Republicans
Many Republicans seem to favor the aid bill as a means of supporting democratic allies like Taiwan. They express concern about the perceived threats from countries like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea, with some calling for stronger measures to counter these countries. There is also some criticism of Trump's foreign policy, with some Republicans accusing him of aligning with Putin, which they believe goes against the party's principles.
Democrats
Among Democrats, there is a noticeable lack of online discussion, which may be more indicative of the lack of mainstream media coverage. In 2022, then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan was met with enthusiasm and approval from most Democratic voters. It is plausible Democrats may initially support a Taiwan aid bill, but ultimately withdraw support as geopolitical tensions rise (such as future tariffs on Chinese steel). There are also some voices calling for neutrality and peace, criticizing the U.S. for engaging in proxy wars and causing destabilization.
Independents
Independents express diverse views, with some supporting Israel and others siding with Iran. Some call for neutrality, criticizing both Israel and Iran for their actions. Many independents seem to be concerned about the potential for World War III, with some fearing that conflicts involving countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea could escalate into a larger war.
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