The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

More Americans say 9/11 changed U.S. for worse than better, Post-ABC poll finds

Analysis by
Director of polling
September 8, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. EDT

Americans increasingly say the events of Sept. 11, 2001, had a more negative than positive impact on the country, and predictions for the pandemic’s long-term impact are even more downbeat, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Ahead of the 20th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Saturday, more than 8 in 10 Americans say those events changed the country in a lasting way. Nearly half (46 percent) say the events of 9/11 changed the country for the worse, while 33 percent say they changed the country for the better.