Poll: Majority of Americans reject Trump’s Gaza ‘takeover’ plan

New survey shows overwhelming public opposition to Trump’s controversial proposal to ‘own’ Gaza and forcibly resettle Palestinians

WASHINGTON (MNTV) – A newly released poll by Data for Progress has revealed that nearly two-thirds of American voters strongly oppose former President Donald Trump’s proposal to “take over” and “own” Gaza.

The plan would require forcibly resettling the 1.8 million Palestinians who live in the embattled enclave.

The survey, conducted between February 8 and 9, 2025, highlights widespread public rejection of Trump’s radical foreign policy idea, which critics argue is both legally indefensible and politically destabilizing.

Trump, who has a long history of making bold and unconventional geopolitical proposals, unveiled his Gaza plan on February 4, suggesting that the U.S. should assume ownership of the strip and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

He framed his vision as a real estate-style development project, portraying Gaza as a war-torn region that could be repurposed into a luxury tourism hub—ignoring the deep-seated conflict and the human cost of forcibly displacing its population.

The Data for Progress poll, which surveyed 1,201 likely voters across the U.S., found that 64% of respondents oppose the plan, with the strongest rejection coming from Democrats (85% against) and Independents (63% against).

Even within Trump’s own party, opinions are split—46% of Republicans support the proposal, while 43% oppose it.

The survey also examined public opinion on Trump’s broader expansionist ambitions, including previous suggestions that the U.S. acquire Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal.

Across all cases, American voters rejected the idea of the U.S. unilaterally taking ownership of foreign territories, with opposition to the Gaza proposal being the most pronounced.

Perhaps more significantly, the poll reveals that American voters overwhelmingly oppose military intervention to enforce Trump’s plan.

When asked whether the U.S. should send troops to Gaza to take control of the region, 69% of respondents said they were against the idea.

This sentiment was strongest among Democrats (86% opposed) and Independents (68% opposed), while among Republicans, support for military deployment was notably weak—only 41% backed sending troops, while 52% opposed it.

Trump has claimed that military force would not be necessary, insisting that his takeover proposal could be executed through diplomatic and economic means. However, military analysts and national security experts warn that forcibly removing Gaza’s population would almost certainly provoke armed resistance, particularly from Hamas and other militant factions that operate in the region.

Security experts also highlight the legal and ethical issues surrounding such a move. International law explicitly prohibits the forced displacement of civilians, and any attempt by the U.S. to seize control of Gaza without Palestinian consent would likely be deemed an act of aggression by the international community.

Trump’s expansionist ambitions

The Gaza takeover proposal is not the first time Trump has floated ideas that challenge traditional U.S. foreign policy norms. He has earlier expressed interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark, citing its strategic location and resource potential.

He also suggested that the U.S. should reclaim ownership of the Panama Canal, a move that would violate international treaties.

These expansionist proposals align with a hardline stance shared by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government has openly considered plans to alter the demographic and political landscape of Gaza.

Critics argue that such proposals do not promote peace but rather entrench instability and provoke further conflict.

Trump’s rhetoric on Gaza is widely seen as an attempt to appeal to his right-wing base and pro-Israel hardliners ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

His administration previously recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, moved the U.S. embassy there, and brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states.

However, his Gaza plan has been met with resistance even among some conservative circles, given its logistical challenges and potential to drag the U.S. into another costly Middle Eastern conflict.

The survey underscores a broader trend in American public opinion—a strong preference for diplomacy over expansionism.

Despite Trump’s claims that his Gaza proposal would be a “win-win” situation, the reality is that American voters overwhelmingly reject the notion of U.S. ownership of foreign territories, particularly when it involves forced displacement and military intervention.

The rejection of Trump’s Gaza plan in this survey reflects deep-seated concerns about the feasibility, legality, and morality of such an endeavor.

Analysts argue that his remarks could further destabilize the already volatile region while damaging U.S. credibility on the global stage.

It is,  however, clear that his Gaza plan has little support beyond his most ardent followers, and virtually no backing from the majority of American voters.