President Donald Trump’s base is making it abundantly clear they view China as a top threat. A recent Vandenberg Coalition/TargetPoint poll found an overwhelming consensus among Trump voters: they want Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence shut out of American universities.
“Trump’s base wants the CCP out of our classrooms,” the coalition said. The poll shows that 91 percent of Trump supporters—including 91 percent of younger MAGA voters (ages 18–44) and 89 percent of those under 30—oppose the presence of CCP-linked Chinese Students and Scholars Associations on campus. Among all respondents, 90 percent, including 92 percent of MAGA conservatives, view China as a “major threat,” with 76 percent labeling it a “high” or “extremely high” threat to the U.S.
The base also demands tougher action abroad: 60 percent indicate the U.S. should take an even harsher stance against Beijing. Concerns extend beyond campuses—95 percent worry about how China could exploit U.S. critical infrastructure, and over 85 percent support blocking Chinese land purchases and boosting domestic pharmaceutical production.
This poll sends a clear message: Americans aligned with Trump see China as more than a geopolitical rival—they view it as a national security threat. As the summary emphasizes: “China as top threat” isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a mandate from Trump’s voters.
