Americans Favor Doubling Foreign Aid Despite USAID Closure

The survey, conducted by Echelon Insights, highlights a significant disconnect between Washington’s policy shifts and public sentiment. While many Americans initially overestimate the cost of international assistance, support climbs sharply once the actual expenditure—roughly 1% of the federal budget—is clarified. Even among those who primarily support President Trump, 64% view that level of spending as either appropriate or insufficient.

This broad consensus extends to the practical application of funds. When presented with specific objectives rather than abstract categories, support surges; 90% of respondents favor humanitarian relief and disease prevention, while 78% back peacekeeping efforts. The urgency of these priorities is underscored by the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has prompted 72% of surveyed adults to call for the restoration of global health funding.

Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, argued that the data reflects a consistent American conviction that global stability is an investment in domestic security. Rather than advocating for the total elimination of aid, 81% of those polled favor a path of reform and stricter oversight. According to project lead Dr. John A. Gans, the findings serve as a rebuttal to the perception that the American public has turned inward, suggesting instead that the current political climate fails to reflect the nation's preference for results-driven global leadership.