THE POLLS

Public Opinion on
Conspiracy Theories
Compiled by Karlyn Bowman, Senior Fellow and Andrew Rugg, Research
Assistant
( November 2013)
Soon after John F. Kennedy’s assassination 50 years ago, stories began to circulate that
the assassination was a conspiracy and not the work of a single individual. The National
Opinion Research Center asked the first question we have been able to locate right after
the assassination. In the November—December 1963 poll, 24 percent said the
assassination was the work of one man, while 62 percent said that other people were
involved. When Fox News asked registered voters a similar question in 2003, the results
were 25 and 66 percent, respectively. In an April 2013 AP-GfK/Roper poll, 24 percent
said one man was responsible and 59 percent said others were involved in a conspiracy.
Other pollsters who have asked about the assassination also find strong support for the
belief that a conspiracy existed.
This AEI Public Opinion Study looks closely at public attitudes about a variety of
conspiracy theories. This collection includes subjects such as whether aliens landed at
Roswell, whether 9/11 was the work of the U.S. government, whether Princess Diana’s
death was an accident, and whether Elvis and Osama bin Laden are still alive. We also
look at the persistence of the belief among a segment of the population that President
Obama was not born in the United States. We begin with the assassination of Kennedy.
Quantifying the precise number of Americans who are conspiracy theorists is not
possible with the data we have. Each specific conspiracy in this collection of questions
produces different responses, and it is not possible to use surveys taken at different times
AEI Public Opinion
Studies
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to produce a specific figure. Softer questions, asking if the government isn’t telling the
full story, if there is more to know, or if there is cause to wonder consistently produce
stronger responses than questions specifically about whether plots and schemes are afoot.
In addition, conspiracy theorists frequently mask their true beliefs by insisting that more
questions still need to be answered. These qualifications make it hard to come up with a
firm figure.
An additional difficulty is figuring out at what point an individual crosses the line
from skeptic to conspiracy theorist. For example, what does it mean when in April 2011,
slightly more than an a fifth of Republicans told New York Times interviewers that they
weren’t sure if President Obama was born here or in another country? The line between
uncertainty and conspiracy is hard to determine with blunt survey questions.
We know from a vast amount of survey data that skepticism about the federal
government’s power and reach is deep. It seems that whenever pollsters use the words
“government” and “cover-up,” a substantial number respond in the affirmative. Although
small numbers appear to believe deeply in many of these conspiracies, the belief that
there was a cover-up of the Kennedy assassination has the broadest appeal.
This collection indicates that a small number, somewhere in the range of 10
percent (with the exception noted above involving the Kennedy assassination) generally
believe in most conspiracies. Far more are likely to believe that the government is hiding
information from the public.
We don’t find compelling evidence from the data in this document that particular
demographic groups are susceptible to a belief in conspiracy theories. It depends on the
theory. Middle-aged Americans are more likely to believe in the JFK assassination
conspiracy than older or younger ones. Young people and Democrats are most likely to
subscribe to conspiracy theories about 9/11. Women are more likely to believe foul play
was involved in Princess Diana’s death. While the demographic data presented here are
by no means exhaustive, we’re hesitant to endorse what much of the literature concludes
– that the young and less educated are more prone to conspiratorial instincts.
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JFK Assassination
As we approach the fiftieth anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination on November
22, 1963, surveys show that a large swath of the public considers the event to have been
something other than the work of a single man. While the responses vary, they
nevertheless suggest that Americans think Lee Harvey Oswald was not a lone gunman.
Whether the assassination was the work of the Soviet or Cuban governments, the C.I.A.,
defense contractors, right wingers, or even Vice President Lyndon Johnson, it has
managed to animate the public imagination for over 50 years.
Intrigue surrounding the Kennedy assassination remains deep, making this conspiracy
theory the most widely believed such theory in American politics today. In fact, a
majority of Americans subscribe to the idea. Initial surveys suggested that belief in an
assassination conspiracy was stronger among Democrats than among Republicans. That
belief remains true, but the gap on partisan responses has shrunk. The latest poll we have
is from AP/GfK-Roper and was conducted April 2013. It shows that 24 percent believe
the assassination was the work of one individual, while 59 percent say that others were
involved.
 I'm going to read some ways that some people felt when they first heard that the President J ohn F.
Kennedy was dead, and I'd like you to tell me which one of the statements on this card comes
closest to your own feelings at the time. Very deepest, quite deeply, crossed my mind, never
occurred to me. Thought it was done by some Communist or other radical to get rid of the
President.
Very deepest Felt it quite Crossed mind Never occurred
feeling deeply but not deeply to me
Nov. 1963 NORC 13% 15% 40% 32%
 I'm going to read some ways that some people felt when they first heard that the Presid ent John F.
Kennedy was dead, and I'd like you to tell me which one of the statements on this card comes
closest to your own feelings at the time. Very deepest, quite deeply, crossed my mind, never
occurred to me. Thought it was done by a segregationist or extreme right-winger.
Very deepest Felt it quite Crossed mind Never occurred
feeling deeply but not deeply to me
Nov. 1963 NORC 8% 10% 32% 50%
 Are you pretty much convinced that Lee Harvey Oswald was the man who shot the President John
F. Kennedy, or do you have some doubt that he was the one?
Pretty much Have some
convinced doubt Don’t know
Nov. 1963 NORC 72% 22% 6%
 Do you think this the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was the work of just one man or
were other people involved too?
One man Other people Don’t know
Nov. 1963 NORC 24% 62% 14%
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 Do you feel the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was the work of one man or do you
feel it was part of a broader plot or conspiracy?
Part of a broader plot Work of one man Not sure
Sep. 1966 Harris Poll 46% 34% 20%
Feb. 1967 Harris Poll 44 35 21
May 1967 Harris Poll 66 19 15
 This November (2003) is the 40
th
anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Do you feel that the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was the act of one individual or
part of a larger conspiracy?
One individual Larger conspiracy
May 1967* Harris 19% 66%
Oct. 1975* Harris 20 66
Mar. 1981* Harris 21 67
Oct. 2003 Fox News 25 66
Demographics, 2003
Republicans 31% 58%
Democrats 20 73
Independents 24 67
Note: Fox question asked of registered voters. *Question wording is “Do you feel that the
assassination of President John F. Kennedy was the act of one individual or part of a greater
conspiracy?”
 As you may know, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963, 40 years ago
this month. From what you know about it, do you think the important facts about the assassination
have been reported or do you think there are still important unanswered questions about the
assassination?
Important facts Still
have been reported unanswered
Nov. 1983 ABC 18% 76%
Nov. 2003 ABC 29 65
 Do you think one man – Lee Harvey Oswald – was responsible for the assassination of President
Kennedy, or do you think there were others involved?
One man, Oswald Others
Oct. 1988 CBS 13% 66%
Jan. 1992 CBS/NYT 10 77
Oct. 1993 CBS 11 75
May. 1998 CBS 10 74
Nov. 1998 CBS 10 76
 Do you think there was an official cover-up to keep the public from learning the truth about the
Kennedy assassination?
------Kennedy assassination official cover-up?-------Yes No
Oct. 1988 CBS/NYT 61% 17%
Jan. 1992 CBS/NYT 75 13
Oct. 1993 CBS 81 12
May 1998 CBS 68 18
Nov. 1998 CBS 74 13
Nov. 2003 ABC 68 24
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 There have been many theories about who was involved in the assassination. I’d like to know if
you think any of the following groups were involved in the assassination of President Kennedy…
--------------------------- CIA----------------------Oswald acted Don’t
Yes No alone (Vol.) know
Oct. 1993 CBS 49% 20% 11% 20%
-----------------The Soviet Union ---------------Oswald acted Don’t
Yes No alone (Vol.) know
Oct. 1993 CBS 13% 54% 11% 22%
--------------------The Cubans ------------------Oswald acted Don’t
Yes No alone (Vol.) know
Oct. 1993 CBS 22% 44% 11% 23%
 Some people say Oswald was the one who actually fired the shots at Kennedy, but some say
Oswald did not fire any shots at Kennedy, but was set up by others to take the blame. Which view
comes closest to your own?
Oswald fired shots Set up by others Other view Don’t know
May 1991 Wash Post 36% 49% 6% 9%
 Do you think that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the John Kennedy assassination or do think
that there was a conspiracy that included other people?
Oswald acted Conspiracy that
alone included others Not sure
Dec. 1991 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 11% 73% 16%
(Asked of the 73 percent of respondents who thought ther e was a conspiracy) Which, if any of
these groups do you think might have been involved in a conspiracy t o assassinate President
Kennedy . . . ?
Dec. 1991 Yankelovich/CNN/Time
Might have been involved
in a conspiracy to assassinate JFK
CIA 50%
The mafia 48
The Cuban government 34
Anti-Castro Cuban exiles 19
American military leaders 18
The Dallas police 13
Note: Adds to more than 100 percent due to multiple responses.
 Has the movie JFK changed your views about the Kennedy assassination?
Yes No
Jan. 1992 CBS/NYT 36% 58%
Note: Asked of those who had seen the movie JFK.
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 Here are several accusations that some people have made against the federal government in recent
years. Please tell me if you think each of these is very likely, somewhat likely or
unlikely…officials in the federal government were directly responsible for the assassinatio n of
President Kennedy. Is this very likely, somewhat likely or unlikely?
---Govt. officials involved In JFK assassination?---Very Somewhat
likely likely Unlikely
Jun. 1997 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 18% 33% 42%
July 2006 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 12 28 51
 Do you think that eventually we will know the whole story about the Kennedy assassination or do
you think we will never really know about what happened?
Yes, we will know
the whole story No
` May 1998 CBS 11% 84%
Nov. 1998 CBS 19 77
 Do you think the government should conduct another investigation of the assassination of
President John F. Kennedy?
--Government should conduct another investigation--Yes No
Oct. 2003 Fox News 20% 74%
Demographics
Republicans 16% 78%
Democrats 27 68
Independents 14 80
 Do you think that we know all the facts about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy or
do you think there was a cover up?
We know all the facts There was a cover up
Oct. 2003 Fox News 14% 74%
Demographics
Republicans 18% 69%
Democrats 11 81
Independents 12 71
 Turning now to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, there have been many theories
about who was involved in the assassination. I'd like to know if you think any of the following
were involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Do you think Lyndon Johnson
was involved in the assassination, or don't you think so?
Yes, LBJ involved No, not involved
Nov. 2003* Gallup 18% 75%
Demographics
18–29 year olds - -30–49 17% 78%
50–64 24 70
65 and older 15 81
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Male 18% 79%
Female 18 71
Republican 15% 79%
Democrat 19 78
Independent TK TK
Note: *Asked of a half sample.
 Turning now to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. There have been many theories
about who was involved in the assassination. I'd like to know if you think any of the following
were involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Do you think the mafia was
involved in the assassination, or don't you think so?
Yes, mafia involved Not involved
Nov. 2003 Gallup 37% 56%
Demographics
18–29 year olds - -30–49 41% 53%
50–64 38 54
65 and over 28 66
Male 37 59
Female 36 53
Republican 35 57
Democrat 43 51
Note: Asked of a half sample.
 Turning now to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. There have been many theories
about who was involved in the assassination. I'd like to know if you think any of the following
were involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Do you think the C.I.A. was
involved in the assassination, or don't you think so?
Yes, C.I.A involved No, not involved
Nov. 2003 Gallup 34% 60%
Demographics
18–29 year olds - -30–49 40% 56%
50–64 37 54
65 and over 13 81
Male 32% 64%
Female 35 56
Republican 25% 66%
Democrat 40 54
Independent 36 60
Note: Asked of a half sample.
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 Turning now to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. There have been many theories
about who was involved in the assassination. I'd like to know if you think any of the following
were involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Do you think the Soviet Union
was involved in the assassination, or don't you think so?
Yes, Soviet Union
was involved No, not involved
Nov. 2003 Gallup 15% 77%
Demographics
18–29 year olds - -30–49 13% 78%
50–64 15 75
65 and over 21 75
Male 16% 80%
Female 14 74
Republican 13% 78%
Democrats 22 70
Independents 12 81
Note: Asked of a half sample.
 Turning now to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. There have been many theories
about who was involved in the assassination. I'd like to know if you think any of the following
were involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Do you think the Cubans were
involved in the assassination, or don't you think so?
Yes, the Cubans
were involved No, not involved
Nov. 2003 Gallup 15% 78%
Demographics
18–29 year olds - -30–49 15% 80%
50–64 21 73
65 and over 15 74
Male 17% 80%
Female 14 75
Republican 17% 74%
Democrats 18 76
Note: Asked of a half sample.
 Do you feel the John F. Kennedy assassination was the work of one man, or was it part of a
broader plot?
 (If one man/Part of a broader plot) Do you feel pretty sure about that, or is that just your hunch?
----------------One man------------- -----------Broader plot----------Sure Just a hunch Sure Just a hunch
Nov. 2003 ABC 14% 8% 39% 31%
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 Do you think Lee Harvey Oswald was the only gunman in the Kennedy assassination, do you
think there was another gunman in addition to Oswald there that day, or do you think Oswald was
not involved in the assassination at all? Do you feel pretty sure about that, or is that just your
hunch?
--Only Oswald-- --Another gunman-- --Not Oswald--Sure Hunch Sure Hunch Sure Hunch
Nov. 2003 ABC 21% 11% 27% 24% 4% 3%
 How likely is it that some people in the federal government knew about the assassination of
President Kennedy in advance?
---People in government knew about assassination---Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely
Sep. 2007 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 20% 22% 40%
 There has been significant speculation about the circumstances surrounding the assassination of
John F. Kennedy. Which statement do you agree with more? And would you say you strongly
agree with that statement or just somewhat agree?
May 2012 UVA/Hart Research
There is nothing left to know about the circumstances
surrounding the Kennedy assassination. Lee Harvey Oswald
acted on his own to assassinate the President, and there was no
conspiracy
Strongly agree 15%
Just somewhat agree 10
There are still too many questions surrounding Kennedy’s
assassination to say that Lee Harvey Oswald acted by himself,
or that there is not a larger conspiracy regarding the details of
his death
Strongly agree 31%
Just somewhat agree 44
 Do you believe that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing President Kennedy, or was there
some larger conspiracy at work?
Oswald acted Larger conspiracy
alone at work Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 25% 51% 24%
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization
 Do you think that one man was responsible for the assassination of President Kennedy, or do you
think that others were involved in a conspiracy?
One man Others involved Don’t know
Apr. 2013 AP-GfK/Roper Poll 24% 59% 16%
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Pearl Harbor
Questions arose concerning Pearl Harbor shortly after the attack and subsequent decision
to go to war. The fortunate absence of America’s aircraft carriers that day is a consistent
sticking point for conspiracists. Pollsters only addressed these suspicions beginning in
1971 with the first question coming from Harris. We have found only three questions
regarding this conspiracy. In two of them, a sizable minority of the population believes
President Roosevelt knew in advance and used the attack as an excuse to go to war.
 Tell me whether you think each of the following factors was a major cause of World War II, a
minor cause, or not a cause at all…a conspiracy involving President Roosevelt, who wanted an
excuse to go to war with Germany and provoked Japan into attacking the U.S. to provide him with
that excuse.
----------A conspiracy involving FDR?----------Major Minor Not a
cause cause cause
of WWII of WWII of WWII
1971 Harris 8% 10% 54%
 Some people have argued that President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew about Japanese plans to
bomb Pearl Harbor but did nothing about it because he wanted an excuse to involve the U.S. on
the side of the allies in the war. From what you know or have read, do you agree or di sagree with
this point of view?
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Nov. 1991 Gallup 31% 47% 22%
 Here are several accusations that some people have made against the federal government in recent
years. Please tell me if you think each of these is very likely, somewhat likely or
unlikely…President Roosevelt knew in advance that the Japanese were going to bomb Pearl
Harbor, but he did not warn our troops because he wanted to get the United States involved in
World War II?
------FDR knew of Pearl Harbor attack?-------Very Somewhat
likely likely Unlikely
Jun. 1997 Scripps Howard/Ohio U. 16% 26% 43%
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The Holocaust
Conspiracy theories surrounding the Holocaust take many forms, all very disturbing.
Several prominent confrontations between Holocaust deniers and universities over the
freedom to speak publicly may have motivated Gallup and CBS News to ask several
polling questions in 1994. We have been unable to find any others.
The four 1994 Gallup questions provide an excellent case study in how variations in
question wording and structure can give different impressions of how many people
subscribe to a given conspiracy theory.
 Does it seem possible or does it seem impossible to you that the Nazi extermination of the Jews
never happened?
Seems possible Seems impossible Don’t know
Nov. 1992 Roper 22% 65% 12%
 Does it seem possible or does it seem impossible to you that the Nazi extermination of the Jews in
Nazi death camps during World War II never happened?
Possible Impossible Don’t know
Jan. 1994 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 37% 58% 5%
Note: Asked of a half sample.
 As you know, the term Holocaust usually refers to the killing of millions of Jews in Nazi death
camps during World War II. Does it seem possible or does it seem impossible to you that the N azi
extermination of the Jews never happened?
Possible Impossible No opinion
Jan. 1994 Gallup 33% 65% 2%
Note: Asked of a half sample.
 As you know, the term Holocaust usually refers to the killing of millions of Jews in Nazi death
camps during World War II. Do you doubt that the Holocaust actually happened, or not?
Yes, doubt No No opinion
Jan. 1994 Gallup 9% 87% 4%
Note: Asked of a half sample.
 As you know, the term Holocaust usually refers to the killing of millions of Jews in Nazi death
camps during World War II. In your opinion, did the Holocaust definitely happen, probably
happen, probably not happen, or definitely not happen?
Probably Definitely
Definitely Probably did not did not
happened happened happen happen
Jan. 1994 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 83% 14% 2% *
Note: Asked of a half sample.
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 As you may know, the term 'the Holocaust' refers to the Nazi extermination of millions of Jews
during the Second World War. Do you think the Nazi extermination of millions of Jews actually
took place, or not?
Yes took place,
Yes, took No did not but not Probably
place take place millions happened Don’t know
Jan. 1994 CBS News 90% 3% 1% 2% 5%
Aliens, UFOs, and Roswell
Belief in unidentified flying objects, or aliens for that matter, doesn’t imply a conspiracist
impulse by itself. However, belief in a government cover-up of alien visits strongly
overlaps the belief in these phenomena in many polls. Below, we present survey data on
all three categories.
Polls taken by Roper Starch Worldwide from 1977 to 1999 show that around 20
percent believe UFOs from somewhere in the universe exist. A similar proportion
embraces the view that UFOs landed in the United States at Roswell, New Mexico and
that the government is engaged in a systematic cover-up of this event.
The 1997 US Air Force report on Roswell renewed general public and pollster
interest in what conspiracists refer to as “the Roswell incident.” In a June 1997 question
by Gallup, 25 percent of those interviewed said they believed the government report.
Sixty-four percent did not. In a March 2013 Public Policy Polling survey, 21 percent of
Americans agreed that aliens did land in Roswell and the government covered it up.
In the 1990s, the gender difference on the questions where data were available was
rather small. But it seems to have grown. In recent questions, men seem more likely than
women to believe in the existence of aliens, the presence of UFOs, and a government
conspiracy to conceal public knowledge of their existence.
 Now here is a list of some different things. Would you tell me for each one whether it is
something you believe in, or something you’re not sure about, or something you do n’t believe
in…UFOs (unidentified flying objects from somewhere else in the universe)?
-----------------------UFOs--------------------------Believe Not sure Don’t believe
Jan. 1977 RoperASW 29% 33% 37%
Jan. 1985 RoperASW 25 36 39
Jul. 1988 RoperASW 18 36 46
Jul. 1994 RoperASW 22 32 45
Jul. 1997 RoperASW 22 30 47
Aug. 1999 RoperASW 19 26 54
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 Of course, everyone is more interested in some things being carried in the news than in others. Is
news about reports about UFOs something you have recently been following fairly closely, or just
following casually, or not paying much attention to?
------------News about reports about UFOS----------Following Following
closely casually No attention
Feb. 1978 Roper 24% 36% 40%
 In your opinion, are UFOs something real or just people’s imagination?
Real Imaginary Not sure
Jun. 1990 Gallup 47% 31% 22%
Feb. 1991 PSRA 61 25 14
Sep. 1996 Gallup 49 31 21
Jan. 2000 Yankelovich/
CNN/Time 43 42 15
Demographics, Jan. 2000
18–29 44% 44% 12%
30–49 48 40 12
50–64 43 37 20
65+ 35 48 17
LT HS grad 36 46 17
HS grad 44 43 14
Some college 47 39 14
College plus 42 42 14
<$35K 44 41 15
$35K–$49K 46 42 11
$50–$74K 50 39 11
>$75K 39 46 15
 Do you think that UFOs (unidentified flying objects) have ever visited earth in some form, or not?
Yes No Don’t know/Refused
Sep. 1996 Gallup 45% 39% 16%
 In your opinion, does the US government know more about UFOs than they are telling us?
Yes No Don’t know
Sep. 1996 Gallup 71% 19% 10%
 As you may have seen in the news, some people have recently claimed to have seen unidentified
flying objects – or UFOs. Do you personally believe in the existence of UFOs?
Yes No Not sure
May 1997 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 38% 55% 7%
Demographics
18–29 years old 38% 56% 6%
30–49 43 52 5
50–64 42 52 7
65 and over 26 66 8
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HS grad and less 39% 55% 7%
Some college 40 55 5
College plus 38 56 6
Republican 35% 61% 3%
Democrat 38 55 7
Independent 43 51 6
Men 39% 55% 6%
Women 38 55 7
 Do you think that intelligent beings from other planets have ever visited the earth, or don’t you
think so?
Yes No Not sure
May 1997 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 31% 60% 9%
Jun. 1997 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 34 52 14
 Here are several accusations that some people have made against the federal government in recent
years. Please tell me if you think each of these is very likely, somewhat likely or unlikely…The
U.S. Air Force is withholding proof of intelligent life from other planets.
---------USAF withholding UFO evidence?--------Very Somewhat
likely likely Unlikely
Jun. 1997 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 24% 24% 40%
 Do you believe that a spacecraft from another planet crashed in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947, or
not?
----Believe in Roswell crash?----Yes No
Jun. 1997 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 31% 53%
Note: Asked of a half sample.
 In the past week, the U.S. Air Force issued a report saying that people in New Mexico – who
reported seeing UFOs and the bodies of aliens – actually saw the remains of weather balloons and
crash-test dummies that were part of top-secret U.S. military experiments. Do you believe this
report, or not?
---Believe govt. report on Roswell crash?---Yes No
Jun. 1997 Gallup 25% 64%
Note: Asked of a half sample.
 How much have you heard about an incident that occurred in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947
which some people believe was caused by a spacecraft from another planet that crashed there: a
great deal, a moderate amount, on a little, or nothing at all?
Great Moderate Only a Nothing
deal amount little at all
Jun. 1997 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 29% 28% 22% 20%
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 Do you think the U.S. Air Force is covering up a UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico?
-------------Roswell cover-up?--------------Yes No Note sure
Jun. 1997 Fox 39% 32% 29%
Note: Asked of registered voters.
 Do you think that a UFO crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947, or don’t you think so?
Do not believe/
Not not sure beings
Yes No sure have visited
Jun. 1997 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 22% 5% 7% 66%
Demographics
Men 23% 6% 8% 63%
Women 20 3 8 69
X-Files watchers 27% 6% 9% 58%
No X-Files 17 3 6 74
 Do you think that there are intelligent beings living on other planets in the universe, or don’t you
think so?
Yes No Not sure
Jun. 1997 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 54% 34% 12%
Demographics
Men 64% 25% 11%
Women 45 41 14
X-Files watchers 64% 26% 10%
No X-Files 45 41 14
 Do you think that intelligent beings from other planets have ever visited the earth, or don’t you
think so?
 (If Yes) Do you think the United States government knows about the existence of inte lligent life
on other planets and is hiding that fact from the American public, or don’t you think so?
--------------Evidence of alien life?---------------Yes, govt. Yes, govt. Don’t believe/
is hiding not hiding Not sure
Jun. 1997 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 27% 6% 66%
Demographics
Men 28% 7% 63%
Women 25 4 69
X-Files watchers 33% 7% 58%
No X-Files 21 4 1
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 Do you think that intelligent beings from other planets have ever visited the earth, or don’t you
think so?
 (If yes) Please tell me whether you believe or do not believe that each of the following is true.
Intelligent beings from other planets have been in contact with members of the U.S. government.
------Aliens in contact with U.S. govt.?-------Yes, in Yes, not Don’t believe/
contact in contact Not sure
Jun. 1997 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 13% 18% 66%
 Have you or has anyone you know ever seen a UFO or anything they believed was a spacecraft
from another planet?
Yes, personally Yes, someone I know No
Jun. 1997 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 8% 17% 74%
Demographics
Men 9% 16% 73%
Women 7 17 76
X-Files watchers 10% 16% 73%
No X-Files 7 17 76
 Have you or anyone you know ever had physical contact with beings from another planet?
Yes, Yes, someone
personally I know No Don’t believe
Jun. 1997 Yankelovich/CNN/Time - 2% 31% 66%
 Have you or anyone you know ever been abducted by beings from another planet?
Yes, Yes, someone
personally I know No Don’t believe
Jun. 1997 Yankelovich/CNN/Time - 2% 32% 66%
 How likely do you think it is that the federal government is withholding information from the
public on each of the following matters . . . very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not
likely at all . . . The existence of UFOs?
-------------Govt. withholding evidence of UFO existence------------Very Somewhat Not very Not at all
likely likely likely likely
Jun. 1998 Fox 28% 27% 18% 17%
Note: Asked of registered voters.
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 Just your best guess – do you think the federal government has told the public everything the
government knows about UFOs, or do you think the government has important information about
UFOs that it’s keeping secret?
 (If keeping secrets) Just your best guess – do you think the government has strong evidence that
aliens from another planet have visited the Earth, or not?
 (If strong evidence) Do you think the government has solid proof that aliens from another planet
have visited the Earth, or not?
--------Yes, govt. keeping secrets about UFOs---------Has Strong No strong Unsure of No
proof evidence evidence evidence secrets
Jun. 1997 ABC 26% 7% 30% 9% 15%
 Do you think the U.S. government is withholding information from the public about the existence
of UFOs, or don’t you think so?
--Govt. withholding evidence of UFO existence--Yes No Not sure
Jan. 2000 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 49% 40% 11%
Demographics
LT HS grad 51% 36% 14%
HS grad 57 31 12
Some college 49 42 9
College plus 37 52 10
<$35K a year in income 54% 37% 9%
$35K–$49K 53 38 9
$50K–$74K 48 42 9
>$75K 40 48 11
Republican 43% 47% 10%
Democrat 47 41 11
Independent 56 34 10
Men 48% 41% 10%
Women 49 39 12
 The federal government is withholding proof of the existence of intelligent life from others
planets?
Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely
Jul. 2006 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 16% 22% 54%
 Some Americans feel that flying saucers are real and that the federal government is hiding the
truth about them from us. Do you think this is very likely, somewhat likely or not likely?
Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely
Sep. 2007 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 11% 24% 55%
 In general, do you believe in or do you not believe in unidentified flying objects or UFOs?
---------------Believe in UFOs-------------Believe in it Do not Don’t know
Oct. 2007 AP/Ipsos–Public Affairs 34% 63% 3%
Page | 18
Demographics
Male 40% 58% 2%
Female 29 68 4
<$30K in income 33% 63% 4%
$30K–$49K 39 59 2
$50–$74K 33 64 3
>$75K 32 66 2
Republican 31% 68% 1%
Democrat 38 60 2
Independent 35 58 7
 Do you believe a UFO crashed at Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947, and the government covered it
up, or not?
Do Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 21% 47% 32%
Demographics
Men 24% 48% 29%
Women 19 46 35
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you believe aliens exist, or not?
Do Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 29% 47% 24%
Demographics
Men 35% 43% 22%
Women 22 51 27
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you think the U.S. government has secretly allowed aliens to take over our society in exchange
for help with industrial technological advances, such as electric power and the microwave, or not?
Yes No Not sure
Sep. 2013 Public Policy Polling 3% 86% 10%
Demographics
Men 2% 90% 8%
Women 5 83 12
Democrat 1% 89% 10%
Republican 7 81 12
Independent 3 89 8
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
Page | 19
Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on
April 4, 1968. Two months later, James Earl Ray, a fugitive from the Missouri State
Penitentiary, was arrested in London at Heathrow Airport. He was extradited to the
United States and charged with the assassination. In March of 1969, Ray pleaded guilty
and was sentenced to 99 years in the Tennessee State Penitentiary.
Some believe that the assassination was carried out by the US government and
argue that James Earl Ray was a scapegoat. These allegations have a receptive audience.
In a 1976 Harris poll, 69 percent believed the assassination was the work of a conspiracy.
In a 2008 CNN poll, 55 percent endorsed the notion of a conspiracy.
 (Asked only of African Americans) Do you think Martin Luther King's assassination was the
result of a conspiracy or that it was the act of one man only?
------------African Americans--------------Conspiracy One man Not sure
May 1969 Gallup 82% 5% 13%
Note: Asked of African Americans.
 Do you feel that the Assassination of Martin Luther King was the act of one individual or part of a
larger conspiracy?
One individual Conspiracy Not sure
Oct. 1975 Harris 24% 60% 16%
Mar. 1981 Harris 26 59 15
 Now here is a question about the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King. Do you
think one man was responsible for the assassination of Martin Luther King, or do you think others
were involved?
One man Others No opinion
Dec. 1976 Gallup 18% 69% 13%
 All in all, do you feel the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. was the work of one man or do
you feel it was part of a broader plot or conspiracy?
One man Broader plot Not sure
Sep. 1978 Harris 19% 69% 12%
 Now a question about the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Do you think
one man was responsible for the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., or do you think others
were involved?
One man Others involved Don’t know
Mar. 1998 CBS 12% 69% 19%
Demographics
Male 13% 70% 17%
Female 10 69 19
Republican 19% 56% 25%
Democrat 9 74 17
Page | 20
Independent 7 77 17
Note: Asked of a half sample.
 Now a question about the assassination of civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., do you think
one man James Earl Ray was responsible for the assassination of Martin Luther King or do you
think others were involved?
One man Others involved Don’t know
Mar. 1998 CBS 10% 70% 20%
Demographics
Male 8% 71% 21%
Female 9 70 21
Republican 8% 64% 28%
Democrat 9 79 11
Independent 9 67 25
Note: Asked of a half sample.
 Do you think the assassination of Martin Luther King was the act of one individual or part of a
larger conspiracy?
Act of one individual Part of conspiracy
Mar. 2008 CNN/Essence 33% 55%
Demographics
18–29 31% 65%
30–49 28 62
50–64 38 54
65 and older 43 46
Less than HS grad 19% 68%
HS grad 25 67
Some college 36 58
College plus 45 46
Male 37% 55%
Female 30 60
Republican 43% 47%
Democrat 30 64
Independent 31 60
White 40% 50%
Black 9 88
Page | 21
Moon Landing
Conspiracies surrounding the moon landing gained traction in the mid-1970s with several
self-published books and papers that claimed the landings were staged by NASA.
Conspiracy advocates point to a variety of supposed evidence, some even coming from
the famous video footage of the moon landing itself – shadows appearing to come from
multiple light sources, prints in the Moon dust despite the lack of moisture, and the
American flag planted by Buzz Aldrin fluttering in the wind despite the vacuum of space.
We have found only a few questions that ask if the moon landing was a hoax. Around six
percent of the population believe it.
 Thinking about space exploration, do you think the government staged and faked the Apollo moon
landings, or don't you feel that way?
Yes, staged No, don’t
and faked feel this way Not sure
Jul. 1995 Time/CNN/Yankelovich 6% 83% 11%
 Thinking about the space exploration, do you think the government staged or faked the Apollo
moon landing, or don't you feel that way?
Yes, staged No Not sure
Jul. 1999 Gallup 6% 89% 5%
 Do you believe the moon landing was faked, or not?
------The moon landing was faked-------Believe Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 7% 84% 9%
Demographics
Men 6% 86% 7%
Women 7 82 11
18–29 years old 11% 74% 15%
30–45 9 84 7
46–65 4 88 7
65+ 6 83 12
Democrat 7% 80% 13%
Republican 4 90 6
Independent 9 82 9
Hispanic 15% 73% 12%
White 5 88 7
African American 8 68 24
Page | 22
Waco
The FBI’s raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Texas in the spring of 1993 has
produced several conspiracy theories. Some believe that the FBI deliberately set fire to
the compound. Others embrace the view that the government covered up several features
of the attack.
Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh cited Waco as one motivation for his
bombing in 1995, leading the media and pollsters to revisit the incident. In September
1999, Attorney General Janet Reno initiated a special investigation of events at Waco.
The report concluded that the fire that eventually killed 73 members of the Branch
Davidian compound was not caused by government agents, but government employees
had failed to disclose information and in some cases, obstructed the initial investigation.
Questions about WACO illustrate an interesting point about public opinion in
America. Far more people say it is likely the government is covering up information
about WACO than believe the FBI or government actually set the fire.
 Do you think government agents deliberately set the fire in which the Branch Davidians died or do
you think this was an accident?
------FBI deliberately set Waco fire?-----Deliberate Accident
Apr. 1995 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 14% 66%
 Do you think federal law enforcement officials are covering up anything about the role of
government officials at Waco, or don’t you think so?
---Federal officials are covering up---Yes No
Jul. 1995 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 49% 39%
 Here are several accusations that some people have made against the federal government in recent
years. Please tell me if you think each of these is very likely, somewhat likely or unlikely… The
FBI deliberately set the fires that destroyed the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas in
1993.
---FBI deliberately set Waco fires in 1993---Very Somewhat
likely likely Unlikely
Jun. 1997 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 18% 22% 50%
 The FBI now says it used potentially flammable tear gas canisters near the compound in Waco a
few hours before the fire there. Before now the FBI said it did not do this. Do you think the FBI
has been intentionally trying to cover up its actions in Waco, or do you think it made an honest
mistake when it denied using flammable devices there?
---FBI’s intentions in Waco fire?---Cover-up Mistake
Sep. 1999 ABC 57% 23%
 Do you think there has been an official cover-up by the government or the FBI to keep the public
from learning the truth about the events in Waco?
Page | 23
------------Cover-up of Waco fire?-------------Cover-up No cover-up Don’t know
Oct. 1999 CBS 62% 25% 13%
Apr. 2000 CBS 51 33 16
Demographics, April 2000
Male 53% 35% 12%
Female 49 32 19
18–29 61% 23% 16%
30–44 53 33 14
45–64 48 37 15
65 and over 39 40 21
LT HS grad 50% 22% 28%
HS grad 51 31 18
Some college 55 35 10
College plus 45 41 14
Republican 56% 33% 12%
Democrat 50 32 18
Independent 50 37 13
 Who do you think probably set the first fire which killed the cult members, the FBI who
conducted the assault or the Branch Davidians themselves?
-----Waco fire was set by?-----FBI Davidians
Sep. 1999 Harris 27% 46%
 As you know, after previously denying that it had done so, the FBI has recently acknowledged
firing potentially flammable tear gas in the 1993 raid of the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco,
Texas. Do you think that the FBI deliberately withheld this evidence, or not?
---FBI deliberately withheld evidence?---Yes No
Sep. 1999 NBC/WSJ 76% 11%
Demographics
18–29 years old 77% 12%
30–49 79 10
50–64 79 10
65+ 67 13
Male 77% 11%
Female 74 11
Note: Asked of a half sample.
Page | 24
 In 1993, there was a 51-day standoff and violent confrontation in Waco, Texas between the
Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, and the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms. There was a large fire in the compound there that resulted in the deaths of 80 people. Do
you think the complete truth about the events at Waco will come out some day, or do you think
this is something that can't be found out?
Truth will come out Truth can’t be found
Oct. 1999 CBS News 43% 50%
Apr. 2000 CBS News 47 45
Note: The 1999 question did not include the background on the Waco incident. That description
appeared earlier in the poll.
Vincent Foster
Vincent Foster, Jr. was a Deputy White House Counsel during the initial months of
President Bill Clinton's administration. Before joining the White House, he was a
successful private lawyer. But he fell into depression in 1993 and was found dead in a
public park in July of that year.
While his death was ruled as a suicide after official investigations, it remains the
subject of many conspiracy theories, including the theory that the President or Hillary
Clinton had him killed.
 Regarding the death of White House aide Vincent Foster, do you think...It was a suicide for
reasons that have been pretty well explained, it was a suicide for reasons still not fully explained,
or it was not a suicide?
Mar. 1994 PSRA/Newsweek
A suicide for reasons pretty well explained 11%
A suicide for reasons not fully explained 47
Not a suicide 15
Don’t know 27
 From what you know, do you think Vincent Foster – the former aide to President Bill Clinton –
committed suicide or do you think he was murdered?
Suicide Murdered Not sure
Jul. 1995 Time/CNN/Yankelovich 35% 20% 45%
 Do you think the Clinton Administration is covering up anything in the investigation of Vincent
Foster's death, or don't you think so?
Yes, covering up No, don’t Not sure
Jul. 1995 Time/CNN/Yankelovich 45% 29% 26%
Page | 25
Oklahoma City Bombing
In the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995, a theory emerged that the
government had in fact blown up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. While there has
not been extensive polling on this question, results nevertheless indicate that about one in
ten respondents think the government may possibly have carried out the attack. Around
half of Americans believe the government is likely withholding further information.
 Some people have said the government might have bombed the federal building in Oklahoma City
in order to blame extremist groups. Do you think this might possibly be true, or that it is almost
certainly not true?
---Govt. bombed OK City building?---Might be true Not true
Apr. 1995 CBS 9% 85%
 Some people have said the federal government bombed the federal government building in
Oklahoma City in order to blame extremist groups. Do you think this is true or not true?
---Govt. bombed OK City building?---True No
Apr. 1995 Yankelovich/CNN/Time 4% 89%
 How likely do you think it is that the federal government is withholding information from the
public on each of the following matters . . . very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not
likely at all . . . The Oklahoma City bombing?
----------Govt. withholding information on OK City bombing?---------Very Somewhat Not very Not at all
likely likely likely likely
Jun. 1998 Fox News 23% 25% 22% 23%
Note: Asked of registered voters.
TWA 800
On July 17
th
1996, TWA Flight 800 exploded and crashed minutes after takeoff from JFK
International Airport. The National Air Transportation Safety Board concluded that the
likely cause was the accidental ignition of fuel vapors in the fuel tank. The FBI, running a
parallel investigation, concluded that terrorism was not a cause of the accident. This
hasn’t stopped the spread of several conspiracy theories about the incident, including one
that suggests a missile from a US Navy vessel caused the crash and the government
covered it up.
 Do you think the government is covering up the real cause of the TWA Flight 800 crash?
----TWA 800 govt. cover-up?----Yes No
Nov. 1996 Fox News 37% 42%
Mar. 1997 Fox News 54 31
Jul. 1997 Fox News 49 38
Note: Asked of registered voters.
Page | 26
 Here are several accusations that some people have made against the federal government in recent
years. Please tell me if you think each of these is very likely, somewhat likely or unlikely…the
U.S. Navy, either by accident or on purpose, shot down TWA passenger Flight 800 near New
York City last year and is covering up what it did.
----Navy shot down TWA Flight 800?----Very Somewhat
likely likely Unlikely
Jun. 1997 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 14% 25% 49%
 How likely do you think it is that the federal government is withholding information from the
public on each of the following matters…very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not
likely at all…The explosion of TWA Flight 800?
-----Govt. Withholding Information On TWA 800 Explosion?------Very Somewhat Not very Not at all
likely likely likely likely
Jun. 1998 Fox News 27% 30% 19% 17%
Note: Asked of registered voters.
 Now thinking about TWA Flight 800 that crashed over Long Island last year--from what you've
heard or read what do you believe was the cause of that crash? Was it mechanical failure, a
terrorist attack, an accidental strike by a US Navy missile, or something else?
Mechanical A terrorist An accidental strike Something
failure attack by the US Navy else
Jul. 1999 Gallup 56% 8% 14% 13%
Princess Diana
Surveys indicate that a sizable minority of Americans believe there was more to Princess
Diana’s death in an automobile crash in August 1997 than official reports suggested.
People seem to be aware of the various theories surrounding her death. However, most
don’t think they are true. Women are more likely than men to see Diana’s death as a
planned and not an accidental event.
 Do you think the car crash that killed Princess Diana was probably an accident, or do you think it
was probably planned in advance?
Probably an accident Probably planned Don’t know
Mar. 2004 CBS 58% 26% 16%
 Do you think that eventually we will know the whole story about Princess Diana’s car crash, or do
you think we will never really know what happened?
Yes No Don’t know
Mar. 2004 CBS 15% 76% 4%
Page | 27
 Do you believe there was foul play involved in Princess Diana’s death, or was it purely an
accident?
Foul play Accident Don’t know
Aug. 2007 Fox News 31% 50% 19%
Demographics
Male 27% 54% 19%
Female 36 45 19
Note: Asked of registered voters.
 On a different topic, I'd like to ask if you've heard people talking about some things and how
likely you think the talk is. For example, have you heard that Princess Diana's death was the result
of a conspiracy?
Have heard
that her death
was the results of
a conspiracy No
Mar. 2009 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 81% 18%
(Asked of those who have heard) How likely do you think it is that Princess Diana's death was
the result of a conspiracy? Is it very likely, somewhat likely, or unlikely?
Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely
Mar. 2009 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 14% 33% 46%
Was 9/11 A Government Conspiracy?
The 9/11 terror attacks caused some Americans to search for an explanation beyond the
official one. Because the attacks caused a significant shift in American foreign policy,
some think the Bush administration purposefully allowed the attacks to happen in order
to justify war and retribution. Others go so far to claim the government actively planned
and carried out the attacks.
As the surveys below indicate, there are many conspiracy theories about 9/11. Selfidentified Democrats are more likely than Republicans to believe the Bush administration
hid information about the attacks from the public.
 Some people believe that the US government and its 9/11 Commission concealed or refused to
investigate critical evidence that contradicts their official explanation of the September 11th
attacks, saying there has been a cover-up. Others say that the 9/11 Commission was a bi-partisan
group of honest and well-respected people and that there is no reason they would want to cover -up
anything. Who are you more likely to agree with?
Agree 9/11 Commission No reason to
concealed or refused believe the
to investigate 9/11 Commission
critical evidence covered up anything
May 2006 Zogby/9-11 Truth 48% 42%
Demographics
Men 46% 44%
Page | 28
Women 50 41
18–29 year olds 38% 54%
30–49 49 44
50–64 55 34
65+ 50 36
Republican 64% 27%
Democrat 36 53
Independent 44 48
Note: 9/11 Truth is an organization devoted, in their words, to exposing “the official lies and
cover-up surrounding the events of September 11th, 2001 in a way that inspires the people to
overcome denial and understand the truth; namely, that elements within the US government and
covert policy apparatus must have orchestrated or participated in the execution of the attacks for
these to have happened in the way that they did.” However, these questions are included here due
to the subject matter and to Zogby’s status in the polling community. Some of the questions in the
survey display a more pro-conspiracist edge than others in this document. The poll remains a
controversial survey in the polling community.
 There are also accusations being made following the 9/11 terrorist attack. One of these is . . . ?
People in the federal government either assisted in the 9/11 attacks or took no action to stop the
attacks because they wanted to United States to go to war in the Middle East.
Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely
Jul. 2006 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 16% 20% 59%
The collapse of the twin towers in New York was aided by explosives secretly planted in the two
buildings.
Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely
Jul. 2006 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 6% 10% 77%
The Pentagon was not struck by an airliner captured by terrorists but, instead was hit by a cruise
missile fired by the U.S. military.
Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely
Jul. 2006 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 6% 6% 80%
 Some people say that so many unanswered questions about 9/11 remain that the nation needs a
new independent investigation of the attacks, including whether any US government official
consciously allowed or helped facilitate their success. Other people say the 9/11 attacks were
thoroughly investigated and that any speculation about US government involvement is absurd.
Who are you more likely to agree with?
Thoroughly
Reinvestigate investigated
May 2006 Zogby/9-11 Truth 45% 47%
Aug. 2007 Zogby/9-11 Truth 38 57
Demographics, Aug 2007
18–29 year olds 64% 28%
30–49 38 57
50–64 32 62
65+ 24 66
Page | 29
Less than HS education 45% 49%
High school grad 45 49
Some college 38 55
College + 32 62
Married 30% 63%
Single 70 28
Divorced/Widowed/
Separated 33 62
Less than $25K in income 49% 43%
$25K–$35K 52 45
$35K–$50K 36 56
$50–75K 39 57
$75–$100k 33 64
$100K+ 22 69
Note: See note above about this survey.
 In October 2006, a New York Times/CBS poll found that only 16% of Americans believe they
have been told the whole truth about this administration’s foreknowledge of the September 11
attacks. Based upon your knowledge of the 9/11 events, do you agree or disagree that the
Congress should investigate the executive branch’s conduct prior to, during, and following the
September 11 attacks?
Agree Disagree
Aug. 2007 Zogby/9-11Truth 51% 46%
Demographics
18–29 year olds 78% 20%
30–49 50 47
50–64 46 51
65+ 44 52
Less than HS education 63% 32%
High school grad 55 39
Some college 50 48
College + 49 49
Married 44% 53%
Single 77 20
Divorced/Widowed/
Separated 52% 45%
Less than $25K in income 62 34
$25K– $35K 61 31
$35K–$50K 48 49
$50–75K 49 50
$75–$100k 51 46
$100K+ 41 57
Note: See note above about this survey.
 There are three main schools of thought regarding the 9/11 attacks. The first theory is the official
story, and maintains that 19 Arab fundamentalists executed a surprise attack which caught US
intelligence and military forces off guard. The second theory known as Let It Happen argues that
certain elements in the US government knew the attacks were coming but consciously let them
Page | 30
proceed for various political, military, and economic motives; and the third theory Made It Happen
contends that certain US government elements actively planned or assisted some aspects of the
attacks. Based on your knowledge of 9/11 events and their aftermath, which theory are you more
likely to agree with?
Official story Let it happen Made it happen
Aug. 2007 Zogby/9-11Truth 64% 26% 5%
Demographics
18–29 year olds 33% 63% 1%
30–49 62 24 8
50–64 73 21 3
65+ 67 20 4
Less than HS education 37% 28% 6%
High school grad 49 36 10
Some college 62 28 4
College + 72 21 3
Married 70% 20% 4%
Single 40 48 7
Divorced/Widowed/
Separated 59 31 5
Less than $25K in income 45% 34% 15%
$25K– $35K 47 47 2
$35K–$50K 67 24 4
$50–75K 68 27 5
$75–$100k 72 17 7
$100K+ 75 19 1
Note: See not above about this survey.
 How about that some people think the federal government had specific warnings of the 9/11
attacks in New York and Washington, but chose to ignore these warnings. Is this very likely,
somewhat likely or not likely?
---Federal government had specific warnings---Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely
Sep. 2007 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 32% 29% 30%
 When it comes to what they knew prior to September 11th, 2001, about possible terrorist attacks
against the United States, do you think members of the Bush Administration are telling the truth,
are mostly telling the truth but hiding something, or are they mostly lying?
-----------Members of the Bush administration are-----------Telling Hiding Mostly
truth something lying
Mar. 2004–Apr. 2004 CBS 24% 58% 14%
Apr. 2004 (early) CBS 21 66 10
Apr. 2004 (late) CBS/NYT 24 56 16
Oct. 2006 CBS/NYT 16 53 28
Demographics, Apr. 2004 (late)
Republicans 49% 43% 6%
Page | 31
Democrats 9 60 27
Independents 18 61 15
 Do you think President Bush intentionally allowed the 9/11 attacks to take place because he
wanted the United States to go to war in the Middle East?
Yes No Not sure
Sep. 2009 Public Policy Polling 14% 78% 8%
Demographics
Men 15% 78% 8%
Women 14 77 9
18-29 18% 79% 3%
30-45 14 80 6
46-65 14 77 9
65+ 13 72 15
Democrat 25% 63% 12%
Republican 6 90 4
Independent 9 83 8
Hispanic 8% 83% 9%
White 12 81 6
African American 34 46 20
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you believe Saddam Hussein was involved in the September 11
th
, 2001, attacks on America, or
not?
----------Saddam Hussein involved---------Do Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 28% 51% 22%
Demographics
Men 25% 56% 19%
Women 31 44 25
Democrat 22% 56% 22%
Republican 33 41 26
Independent 28 56 17
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you believe the United States government knowingly allowed the attacks on September 11
th
,
2001, to happen, or not?
---Government knowingly allowed attacks---Believe Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 11% 78% 11%
Demographics
18–29 years old 18% 68% 14%
30–45 10 80 10
46–65 11 76 13
65+ 7 85 8
Democrats 14% 76% 11%
Republicans 8 83 9
Page | 32
Independents 12 74 14
Hispanic 14% 75% 12%
White 10 81 9
African American 8 66 26
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
Iraq
Many pollsters spent a considerable amount of time in 2003 and 2004 determining
whether people believed the president or his administration lied about WMDs or
intentionally misled the country on the subject in order to make the case for war.
Questions in late 2006 demonstrated a large shift in the public’s attitudes. In May 2003,
36 percent said that the Bush administration “misinterpreted or misanalysed the
intelligence reports they said indicated Iraq had banned weapons,” while 61 percent gave
that response in October 2006. Recent polls show opinions are still divided. In a March
2013 Public Policy Polling 2008 poll, 44 percent believed that the Bush administration
intentionally misled the public about the possibility of weapons of mass destruction in
Iraq to promote the Iraq War. Forty-five percent said they did not believe that.
 Do you believe that the U.S. government deliberately exaggerated the reports of weapons of mass
destruction in Iraq in order to increase support for war, or do you think it tried to present the
information accurately?
Tried to present Deliberately
accurately exaggerated
Jun. 2003 Harris Interactive 56% 37%
Aug. 2003 Harris Interactive 53 40
Oct. 2003 Harris Interactive 49 41
Dec. 2003 Harris Interactive 50 45
Feb. 2004 Harris Interactive 51 43
Apr. 2004 Harris Interactive 50 43
June 2004 Harris Interactive 50 44
Aug. 2004 Harris Interactive 51 44
Sept. 2004 Harris Interactive 46 45
Oct. 2004 Harris Interactive 53 46
Nov. 2004 Harris Interactive 49 48
 Before the Iraq War, the Bush administration said it had intelligence reports indicating that Iraq was
hiding banned chemical or biological weapons from UN weapons inspectors. So far, however, no such
banned weapons have been found in Iraq. Do you think the Bush administration . . . ?
Yes No
Misinterpreted or misanalysed the intelligence reports they
said indicated Iraq had banned weapons
May 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 36% 54%
Jul. 10–11, 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 45 41
Jul. 24–25, 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 41 49
Aug. 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 44 47
Oct. 9–10, 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 49 39
Page | 33
Oct. 23–24, 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 50 39
Jan. 2004 PSRA/Newsweek 54 36
Mar. 2004 PSRA/Newsweek 55 35
Jul. 2004* PSRA/Newsweek 56 36
Sept.–Oct. 2004* PSRA/Newsweek 51 41
Oct. 27–29, 2004* PSRA/Newsweek 50 43
Oct. 5–6, 2006 PSRA/Newsweek 61 30
Purposely misled the public about evidence that Iraq had
banned weapons in order to build support for war
May 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 36% 57%
Jul. 10–11, 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 38 53
Jul. 24–25, 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 39 56
Aug. 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 43 51
Oct. 9–10, 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 45 45
Oct. 23–24, 2003 PSRA/Newsweek 42 49
Jan. 2004 PSRA/Newsweek 41 51
Mar. 2004 PSRA/Newsweek 46 49
Jul. 2004* PSRA/Newsweek 44 51
Sep.–Oct. 2004* PSRA/Newsweek 45 50
Oct. 27–29, 2004 PSRA/Newsweek 43 54
Oct. 5–6, 2006 PSRA/Newsweek 58 36
Note: *Asked of registered voters.
 Do you think the Bush administration deliberately misled the American public about whether Iraq has
weapons of mass destruction, or not?
Yes, misled No
May–Jun. 2003 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 31% 67%
Jun. 9–10, 2003 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 31 64
Jun. 27–29, 2003 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 37 61
Jul. 2003 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 39 58
Jan.–Feb. 2004 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 43 54
Jul. 2004 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 45 52
Oct. 2004 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 47 51
Apr. 2005 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 50 48
Jul. 2005 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 51 47
Oct. 2005 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 53 45
Jan. 2006 Gallup/CNN/USA Today 53 46
Mar. 10–12, 2006* Gallup/CNN/USA Today 51 46
Mar. 9–11, 2007 CNN/ORC 54 40
Feb. 2008 Gallup/USA Today 53 42
Dec. 2011 CNN/ORC 57 41
Mar. 2013 CNN/ORC 54 44
Demographics, March 2013
Men 54% 45%
Women 54 45
18–29 61% 38%
30–49 56 43
50–64 51 47
65+ 46 51
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HS or less 59% 39%
Some college 54 46
College grad 49 49
Democrat 76% 23%
Independent 54 42
Republican 23 75
Note: *Asked of a half sample.
 In making its case for war with Iraq, do you think the Bush administration told the American people
what it believed to be true or intentionally misled the American people?
Told what it Intentionally
believed misled
Jul. 2004 ABC/WP 55% 42%
Mar. 2005 ABC/WP 55 43
Jun. 2005^ ABC/WP 48 52
Jul. 2005 ABC/WP 55 42
Aug. 2005* ABC/WP 57 40
Nov. 2005 ABC/WP 44 55
May 2006 ABC/WP 46 52
Nov. 2006* ABC/WP 51 47
Dec. 2006 ABC/WP 45 52
Note: *Asked of registered voters. ^Asked of a half sample.
 Do you believe the Bush administration intentionally misled the public about the possibility of
weapons of mass destruction in Iraq to promote the Iraq War, or not?
Do Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 44% 45% 12%
Obama’s Birthplace
The question of whether Barack Obama was born in the United States loomed relatively
large in the background – and occasionally the foreground – of the 2008 and 2012
presidential races. The assertion of a conspiracy to hide and obscure Obama’s true
background was also discussed in the attempt to delegitimize the President’s
qualifications for the presidency.
American attitudes about Obama’s birthplace have been surveyed extensively. Even
though a majority of Americans consistently tell pollsters that they think the President is
a U.S. citizen, a substantial portion (as high as 39 percent in some polls) think Obama
was born abroad. Perhaps expectedly, these responses divide starkly along party lines;
Republicans are more likely to believe Obama was not born in the United States,
although some polls show that about 10 percent of Democrats also embrace this view.
Moreover, these opinions are skewed according to the ages of those polled, with older
Americans being more prone to believe Obama was born abroad.
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 From what you have heard, where was Barack Obama born? . . . Illinois, Hawaii, Kansas,
Indonesia
Illinois Hawaii Kansas Indonesia
Sep. 2008 AP/Yahoo 25% 47% 12% 12%
 How much have you heard about some people who claim that Barack Obama was not born in the
US and therefore not eligible to be president? . . . A lot, a little, nothing at all.
A lot A little Nothing at all
Jul. 2009 Pew 31% 49% 19%
 Do you think Barack Obama was definitely born in the United States, probably born in the United
States, probably born in another country, or definitely born in another country?
--------Born in U.S.-------- ---Born in another country---Definitely Probably Probably Definitely
July 2010 CNN/ORC 42% 29% 16% 11%
Mar. 2011 CNN/ORC 46 26 15 10
Apr.–May 2011 CNN/ORC 58 22 10 7
Demographics, July 2010
Men 41% 26% 16% 14%
Women 43 31 16 9
Republican 23 34 27 14
Democrat 64 21 7 8
Independent 37 31 17 12
Demographics, April–May 2011
Men 58% 22% 11% 7%
Women 58 22 9 8
18–34 - - - -35–49 57% 24% 12% 6%
50–64 62 19 10 8
65+ 60 21 9 5
Attended college 64% 21% 7% 5%
No college 51 22 14 10
Republican 32% 37% 16% 12%
Democrat 78 11 3 6
Independent 58 22 12 6
 On another subject, where was Barack Obama born, as far as you know?
The U.S. Another country No opinion
Apr. 2010 Wash Post/ABC 68% 14% 19%
Apr.–May 2011 PSRA/Wash Post 77 3 19
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 Do you think Barack Obama was born in the United States, or not?
Yes No Don’t know
Apr. 2011 Fox News 67% 24% 10%
Demographics
College degree 71% 20% 9%
No college 63 27 10
Under 35 72% 24% 5%
35–54 66 23 11
55+ 62 24 14
65+ 61 24 15
Republican 47% 37% 16%
Democrat 84 12 4
Independent 69 21 10
Men 65% 23% 12%
Women 68 24 8
Note: Asked of registered voters.
 Was President Obama born in the U.S.?
Yes No Don’t know
Apr. 2011 CBS/NYT 57% 25% 18%
Demographics
Republicans 33% 45% 22%
Democrats 81 10 9
Independents 52 25 23
 Do you think people who actively and publicly question whether Barack Obama was truly born in
the United States are just nutty conspiracy theorists, or do you think there is cause to won der
where he was born and it’s important enough to justify their actions?
Conspiracy theorists Cause to wonder
Apr. 2011 Fox News 51% 40%
Demographics
College degree 55% 39%
No college 49 42
Under 35 56% 35%
35–54 50 42
55+ 48 42
Republican 29% 63%
Democrat 74 20
Independent 48 41
Men 48% 48%
Women 54 36
Note: Asked of registered voters.
Page | 37
 Do you think Barack Obama was definitely born in the United States, probably born in the United
States, probably born in another country, or don’t you know enough to say?
--------Born in U.S.-------- --Born in another country--Definitely Probably Probably Definitely
Apr. 2011 Gallup 38% 18% 15% 9%
May 2011 Gallup 47 18 8 5
Demographics, May 2011
Definitely/Probably Definitely/Probably
born in U.S. born in another country
Republicans 49% 23%
Democrats 81 5
Independents 65 14
Demographics, April 2011
Republicans 35% 43%
Democrats 78 9
Independents 56 20
 Where was Barack Obama born, as far as you know?
Another Don’t know/
The U.S. country No opinion
Apr. 2011 Pew 75% 3% 19%
 And one last question to get your view on a topic that has been in the news… Was Barack Obama
born in the United States or was he born in another country?
Another Don’t know/
The U.S. country Refused
Apr. 2011 Pew 55% 23% 22%
 Where was Barack Obama born, as far as you know?
 (If No) Is it your best guess that Obama was born in the United States, or in another country?
Another Don’t know/
The U.S. country Refused
Aug. 2012 AP 49% 39% 12%
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Osama bin Laden
Some people tell pollsters they have doubts about whether Osama bin Laden was killed
by US Navy Seals. Fifteen percent told Fox News that there was a chance that he was
alive, while 24 percent told CBS News that they had doubts about whether he was killed.
But when asked directly whether he’s alive, around 6 to 11 percent were willing to state
so. A March 2013 Public Policy Polling survey suggests the conspiracy is much more
vibrant among young people.
 Do you think there is any chance Osama bin Laden is still alive, or do you absolutely believe he is
dead?
Chance he’s Absolutely believe
still alive he’s dead Don’t know
May 2011 Fox News 15% 78% 6%
Note: Asked of registered voters.
 Do you have any doubts that Osama bin Laden was killed when American Navy Seals raided his
compound in Pakistan?
Convinced Osama
bin Laden is dead Still have doubts
June 2011 CBS/60 Minutes/Vanity Fair 73% 24%
Demographics
18–29 years old 71% 28%
30–44 63 34
45–64 78 20
65+ 81 11
HS Grad or Less 66% 30%
Some College 74 24
College Plus 84 15
Republican 76% 21%
Democrat 79 18
Independent 66 32
 Do you believe that Osama bin Laden is dead, or do you think he is still alive?
Dead Alive No opinion
Jun. 2011 CNN/ORC 86% 11% 3%
Demographics
LT HS Grad - - -HS grad 82% 13% 5%
Some college 84 11 4
College plus 97 2 1
<$30K 75% 20% 4%
$39K–$49K 86 12 2
$50K–$74K 84 9 6
>$75K 97 3 0
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Democrat 87% 10% 3%
Republican 91 8 1
Independent 82 14 4
 Do you believe Osama bin Laden is still alive, or not?
Do Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 6% 83% 11%
Demographics
18–29 years old 21% 54% 25%
30–45 3 85 11
46–65 3 89 7
65+ 8 88 7
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
Other Theories
There are a myriad other minor conspiracy theories currently in circulation. Catalogued
below is a list of some of them, as well as the extent to which the population embraces or
rejects them.
 Do you feel that the assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy was the act of one individual or part
of a larger conspiracy?
One individual Conspiracy Not sure
Oct. 1975 Harris 30% 55% 15%
Sep. 1978 Harris 34 55 11
Mar. 1981 Harris 38 48 14
 Here are several accusations that some people have made against the federal government in recent
years. Please tell me if you think each of these is very likely, somewhat likely or unlikely…the
CIA has deliberately allowed Central American drug dealers to sell cocaine to black kids living in
inner-city neighborhoods. Is this very likely, somewhat likely or unlikely?
CIA has allowed Central American drug dealers to sell
cocaine to black kids in inner-city neighborhoods?
Very Somewhat
likely likely Unlikely
Jun. 1997 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 22% 30% 38%
 Here are several accusations that some people have made against the federal government in recent
years. Please tell me if you think each of these is very likely, somewhat likely or unlikely… Our
military leaders are withholding what they know about nerve gas or germ warfare attacks on
American troops during the Persian Gulf War?
Military withholding Gulf War syndrome evidence
Very Somewhat
likely likely Unlikely
Jun. 1997 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 48% 32% 11%
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 There have been reports and rumors that Elvis Presley is still alive. Do you think there is any
possibility at all that Elvis is still alive?
---There is a possibility Elvis is alive---Yes No Not sure
Aug. 1997 Fox News 6% 89% 5%
Note: Asked of registered voters.
 Here are several accusations that some people have made against the federal government in recent
years. Please tell me if you think each of these is very likely, somewhat likely or unlikely… Our
military leaders withheld information about the dangers of the chemical called “Agent Orange”
during the Vietnam War?
--Military leaders withheld evidence of Agent Orange--Very Somewhat
likely likely Unlikely
Jun. 1997 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 60% 23% 8%
 There are a number of recent historical incidents where some people believe we do not know the
whole truth. If you had a chance to learn the complete truth about one of the following incidents,
which one would you choose to know about?
Mar. 1999 Fox News
The possible crash of an alien spacecraft at Roswell, New Mexico 14%
The existence of a conspiracy in President Kennedy's assassination 33
The existence of a conspiracy in the Martin Luther King assassination 10
The real cause of the TWA Flight 800 crash 17
The existence of a conspiracy in the Oklahoma City Bombing 19
Don’t know 3
Note: Asked of registered voters.
 Do you believe that a secretive power elite with a globalist agenda is conspiring to eventually rule
the world through an authoritarian world government, or New World Order, or not?
--Secretive power elite conspiring to rule world--Do Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 28% 46% 25%
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you believe the government adds fluoride to our water supply, not for dental health re asons,
but for other, more sinister reasons, or not?
---Government adds fluoride to our water supply---Believe Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 9% 74% 17%
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you believe that shape-shifting reptilian people control our world by taking on human form
and gaining political power to manipulate our societies, or not?
--Shape-shifting reptilian people control our world--Believe Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 4% 88% 7%
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
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 Do you believe media or the government adds secret mind-controlling technology to television
broadcast signals, or not?
Government adds mind-controlling technology to TV
Believe Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 15% 70% 15%
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you believe that the exhaust seen in the sky behind airplanes is actually chemicals sprayed by
the government for sinister reasons, or not?
--Exhaust behind airplanes is sinister chemicals--Do Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 5% 87% 8%
Demographics
18–29 year olds 17% 74% 9%
30–45 8 85 10
46–65 2 91 7
65+ 2 88 10
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you believe that the pharmaceutical industry is in league with the medical industry to “invent”
new diseases in order to make money, or not?
--Pharmaceutical industry invents new diseases--Do Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 15% 69% 16%
Demographics
18–29 years old 27% 68% 5%
30–45 12 66 22
46–65 12 70 18
65+ 14 71 15
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you believe Paul McCartney actually died in a car crash in 1966 and was secretly replaced by a
lookalike so The Beatles could continue, or not?
Do Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 5% 80% 14%
Demographics
18–29 year olds 14% 73% 14%
30–45 5 80 15
46–65 4 86 9
65+ 1 74 25
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 I'd also like to ask about some conspiracy theories that are sometimes mentioned among
Americans. Please tell me whether you think each of these is very likely, somewhat likely or not
likely. So when I say that oil companies are conspiring to keep gasoline prices high, is that very
likely, somewhat likely or not likely?
--Oil companies conspiring to keep gas prices high--Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely
Jul. 2006 Scripps Howard/Ohio U 50% 30% 14%
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 Do you believe the C.I.A was instrumental in distributing crack cocaine into America’s inner cities
in the 1980s, or not?
Do Do not Not sure
Mar. 2013 Public Policy Polling 14% 55% 30%
Demographics
Hispanic 15% 46% 39%
White 13 60 27
African American 22 32 46
Democrats 14% 51% 34%
Republicans 9 60 31
Independents 21 54 25
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you think the U.S. government engages in so-called “false flag” operations, meaning that the
government sometimes plans and executes mass shootings or terrorist events, and then makes it
look like those activities were carried out by others, or not?
Yes No Not sure
Sep. 2013 Public Policy Polling 13% 70% 17%
Demographics
Men 12% 73% 15%
Women 14 67 19
Democrats 9% 78% 12%
Republicans 21 58 21
Independents 10 72 19
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you think there is a secret society such as Skull and Bones that produces most of America’s
political and financial leaders to serve the interests of the wealthy elite, or not?
Yes No Not sure
Sep. 2013 Public Policy Polling 19% 50% 31%
Demographics
Men 24% 59% 18%
Women 14 43 43
Democrats 20% 46% 33%
Republicans 15 53 31
Independents 20 52 28
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you think the U.S. government has engaged in the assassination of entertainers who have tried
to spread a counterculture message they didn’t like, such as John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Tupac
Shakur, and others, or not?
Yes No Not sure
Sep. 2013 Public Policy Polling 12% 72% 16%
Demographics
Men 18% 70% 13%
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Women 7 74 19
Democrats 9% 75% 15%
Republicans 14 96 17
Independents 13 72 16
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you think that major sporting events like the NBA playoffs or the Super Bowl are sometimes
rigged by referees and league offices to create an outcome that will lead to better ratings and more
money and publicity for the sport, or not?
Yes No Not sure
Sep. 2013 Public Policy Polling 32% 49% 19%
Demographics
Men 30% 54% 16%
Women 33 45 22
Democrats 27% 52% 21%
Republicans 34 47 19
Independent 35 48 18
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
 Do you think the U.S. government has a secret fleet of black helicopters that will be used in an
eventual United Nations military takeover of the United States, or not?
Yes No Not sure
Sep. 2013 Public Policy Polling 9% 71% 20%
Demographics
Men 7% 78% 16%
Women 11 66 23
Democrats 8% 78% 14%
Republicans 11 66 23
Independents 8 68 24
Note: PPP is a Democratic polling organization.
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