A national poll conducted by the Buckley Institute reveals that 21.8% of full‑time undergraduate students ages 18 to 24 agree with the statement “America deserved September 11.” The survey, fielded online from September 5‑14, 2026, included 803 respondents from four‑year colleges across the United States. Of those who agreed, 11% said they strongly agreed, while 71.7% disagreed and 6.5% were unsure.
The poll also asked whether hate speech or racially charged comments could justify using physical violence to stop a speaker. Among the 44.6% who said violence could be justified, 41% also believed America deserved the attacks. By contrast, only 7% of respondents who opposed violence held that view.
Texas Education Board Moves to Update 9/11 Curriculum
In related education news, the Texas State Board of Education approved revisions to the state’s high‑school U.S. history standards on September 4. The updated standards identify “radical Islam” as the motivation behind the September 11 attacks and direct students to study the United States’ response, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the impact of the Patriot Act on civil liberties. The Texas Education Agency plans to roll out the new curriculum in the 2033‑34 school year.
Democratic board member Dana Van De Walker leads Republican member Audrey Young (R‑District 8) by 564 votes in the state’s unofficial returns. If the lead holds, Democrats will gain an 8‑7 majority on the board, giving them the power to shape future revisions. Van De Walker has pledged to remove “any religiously‑influenced curriculum” from public schools.
Texas law already requires public elementary and secondary schools to observe a minute of silence when September 11 falls on a regular school day. Teachers must precede the silence with a statement remembering those who died.
Context and Reactions
The Buckley Institute’s findings are the first time the organization has asked the 9/11 question. Critics argue the results reflect a troubling lack of historical understanding among young adults, while supporters note the poll highlights the importance of robust civics education.
Texas educators and policymakers say the revised standards aim to provide students with a balanced view of the nation’s response to terrorism, emphasizing both the sacrifices made by service members and the constitutional debates sparked by post‑9/11 legislation.
Overall, the survey underscores a divide in how the younger generation perceives one of America’s defining tragedies, while Texas moves forward with curriculum changes intended to ground students in both historical fact and constitutional principle.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
