Voters Are Conflicted About Foreign Aid

AUGUST 2025

This document summarizes key findings from six online focus groups conducted by GBAO for National Security Action in August 2025. Participants included Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – all of whom follow U.S. foreign policy at least occasionally. All participants reside in Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Ohio, or Texas.

KEY FINDING:

Many voters significantly overestimate how much of the federal budget is spent on foreign aid. When informed that only about one percent is allocated to these programs, support increases across the board – including among some conservative Republicans. Many respondents wondered how much of a difference foreign aid cuts could make in terms of reducing deficits, if spending was so limited. A Democratic voter said “With the cuts in food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, and then you're worried about this 1%? It’s just, the whole picture is just bizarre.”

Despite this, a strong sentiment persists, particularly among Republicans and independents, that domestic needs should take priority. When faced with this dilemma, many argue that foreign aid should be reduced only if those funds were instead used to support struggling Americans. At the same time, there is widespread concern about ensuring accountability in foreign assistance programs, with voters calling for stronger oversight to prevent waste, fraud, and the promotion of political or cultural agendas. “Well, I think we've got an awful lot of dirty laundry that we need to clean up ourselves. And that's what's being focused on. But you can't lose sight of the big picture either. It’s a double edged sword. It's hard to do both,” said a Texas Republican. 

Donald Trump’s dismantling of USAID appears to have resonated with voters, tapping into a broader sense of economic insecurity. Yet, even amid this skepticism, many Americans still feel a moral obligation to help those in need abroad – suggesting a complex but not entirely negative attitude toward foreign aid.

MORE FROM VOTERS:

  • “Well, I guess I would just be curious of where that money is going, because if it's going domestically and helping people here, I wouldn't be as upset, because I think there are plenty of people that need help in the U.S. as well. So I guess it just depends on where the money's going.” (Georgia Republican)

  • “No, I don’t support it, because [Trump] just cut like millions and millions and millions of dollars from Medicare, Social Security, and SNAP recipients. So how are we helping our own people here?” (Nebraska Republican)

  • “I think we should help out where we can and use volunteers and donations and wherever we can make a big difference we should do it... I think it needs to be scaled back a little bit because we need to concentrate on our national debt because it's out of control right now. We should not cut it all back – that's really bad. But we should try to make it more strategic and cut out the fraud, waste and just try to get the most bang for the buck.” (Minnesota Independent)

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Many voters overestimate how much the U.S. spends on foreign aid. When advocating for aid or criticizing cuts, it’s effective to clarify that only a small fraction of the budget goes abroad, and emphasize that most taxpayer dollars are spent domestically. This helps correct misconceptions and build support.

  • Cuts to foreign aid were not a driving factor for any of the surveyed groups. However, voters were more receptive to cuts if the savings were redirected to support Americans in need. However, the administration is cutting both foreign aid and entitlement programs while adding to the deficit. This is a vital contradiction to highlight. Additionally, emphasizing transparency and accountability in how aid funds are used can further strengthen the message.