Americans Want Budget Cuts—But Not to Social Security

Americans Want Budget Cuts—But Not to Social Security \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ New polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center reveals a contradiction in how Americans view federal spending. While most U.S. adults believe the government spends too much overall, majorities across party lines think funding is too low for Social Security, Medicare, and education. As President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk push for budget cuts, many Americans disagree on where those cuts should fall. However, there is bipartisan agreement that foreign aid is overfunded.

Americans Want Budget Cuts—But Not to Social Security: Quick Looks

• Spending Cuts vs. Program Funding – While many Americans believe the federal government spends too much, most say Social Security, Medicare, and education need more funding.
• Trump and Musk Push for Budget Reductions – President Trump and adviser Elon Musk are cutting humanitarian aid, education, and military funding, but polling suggests Americans disagree with these priorities.
• Strong Support for Social Security & Medicare – Two-thirds of Americans say Social Security and education are underfunded, while six in ten believe Medicare, Medicaid, and aid for the poor need more money.
• Foreign Aid Is Seen as Overspending – Seven in ten Americans say the U.S. spends too much on foreign aid, though polls show Americans overestimate how much is actually spent.
• Military and Border Security Divide Voters – Republicans tend to favor more funding for the military and border security, while Democrats are divided on both issues.
• Bipartisan Agreement on Social Security – Few Americans—Republican or Democrat—believe Social Security and Medicare should be cut, making them politically untouchable.
• Public Opinion Clashes With Spending Cuts – Trump’s budget strategy faces resistance from voters, who want lower overall spending but more money for key domestic programs.
• Can the Budget Be Cut Without Public Backlash? – As Trump and Musk push for federal spending reductions, they face the challenge of balancing fiscal responsibility with voter expectations.

Deep Look

Many U.S. adults believe the federal government is overspending, yet when asked about specific programs, a majority say key areas like Social Security, Medicare, and education need more funding. This contradiction has created a political challenge as President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk push for large-scale federal budget reductions, cutting funding for humanitarian aid, the Department of Education, and even the military.

However, polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research suggests that while Americans favor reducing overall government spending, they strongly oppose cuts to programs they rely on—especially those benefiting seniors, low-income individuals, and students.

Public Support for Key Programs Conflicts With Budget Cut Push

A January AP-NORC poll found that two-thirds of Americans believe the government spends too little on Social Security and education, and nearly six in ten say the same about Medicare, Medicaid, and assistance for the poor. The results highlight a deep disconnect between public opinion and Trump’s cost-cutting agenda, as the administration seeks to reduce federal spending while Americans want more resources directed toward these programs.

For decades, debates about the federal budget have revolved around a common dilemma: Americans want government spending reduced, yet they also want more funding for essential programs. An earlier 2023 AP-NORC poll found that six in ten U.S. adults said the federal government was spending too much overall, yet when asked about specific areas, many said they were underfunded.

The contradiction reveals a fundamental challenge for lawmakers: how to address concerns about government waste while ensuring that programs like Social Security and Medicare remain fully funded.

Foreign Aid: The One Area Where Most Americans Agree on Cuts

While Americans are divided on where cuts should be made, foreign aid emerges as the one category where a majority believe the U.S. is overspending.

According to the 2023 AP-NORC poll, seven in ten Americans believe that too much money is being spent on aid to other countries. The divide is particularly stark along party lines, with nine in ten Republicans and just over half of Democrats agreeing that foreign aid is excessive.

Despite this perception, public opinion doesn’t align with reality. Surveys from KFF show that Americans vastly overestimate the share of the budget spent on foreign aid. On average, respondents believe foreign assistance accounts for 31% of federal spending, when in reality, it represents only 1% or less.

For some, like Richard Tunnell, a 33-year-old veteran from Huntsville, Texas, Trump’s “America First” approach resonates deeply.

“Americans need to worry about Americans,” Tunnell said. “There are atrocities happening on American soil just as much as there are on foreign soil. You know, if we can’t clean up our own house, why the hell are we trying to clean up somebody else’s house?”

Military and Border Security Funding Sparks Political Divisions

While Social Security and Medicare receive strong bipartisan support, military and border security funding remain deeply divisive issues.

Polls show that Americans are evenly split on military spending. One-third believe the U.S. spends too much on the military, another one-third say funding is too low, and the rest believe current funding is appropriate. However, when broken down by party affiliation, the differences become clearer.

Most Republicans say the military is underfunded, while nearly half of Democrats argue that defense spending is too high. This contrast reflects longstanding partisan debates over how the U.S. should allocate resources between defense and domestic programs.

Similar divisions exist when it comes to border security. The January AP-NORC poll found that eight in ten Republicans say the government is spending too little on border security, while Democrats are more divided.

Among Democrats:

• Four in ten believe border security funding is adequate.
• Three in ten think it is too high.
• Three in ten think it is too low.

The sharp partisan divide over border security reflects ongoing national debates about immigration policy, law enforcement, and national security, making it one of the most politically charged budget issues in Washington.

The Political Challenge: Cutting Spending Without Cutting Key Programs

The findings from AP-NORC’s polling highlight the difficulty of balancing budget reductions with public demand for essential services.

Trump and Musk’s budget-cutting strategy faces significant hurdles, as many Americans reject cuts to programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These programs are considered essential by voters across party lines, making them politically untouchable for most lawmakers.

The one area where Trump’s cuts may find broad support is foreign aid, where public perception—though inaccurate—suggests that Americans overwhelmingly believe too much is being spent.

As lawmakers continue to debate federal spending, the question remains: Can budget reductions be achieved in a way that aligns with public opinion? If Trump and Musk proceed with their planned spending cuts, they will likely face pushback from voters who expect these programs to remain fully funded.

The contradiction between wanting a smaller budget and demanding increased funding for key services is a perpetual issue in American politics. Whether the new administration can navigate this challenge without alienating voters will be a defining test of their fiscal policies moving forward.

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