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![TheEconomist Avatar](https://lunarcrush.com/gi/w:24/cr:twitter::5988062.png) The Economist [@TheEconomist](/creator/twitter/TheEconomist) on x 27M followers
Created: 2025-07-17 15:50:10 UTC

Americans think that they are more generous than they are. When pollsters ask them to estimate what proportion of its budget the federal government spends helping people abroad, the average answer is 26%. In reality it is about X%

![](https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/1945232132495810560/gchEuv9L?format=png&name=800x419)

XXXXXX engagements

![Engagements Line Chart](https://lunarcrush.com/gi/w:600/p:tweet::1945873671282667800/c:line.svg)

**Related Topics**
[budgeting](/topic/budgeting)

[Post Link](https://x.com/TheEconomist/status/1945873671282667800)