Full Breakdown
U.S. Perception Plummets Amid Trump Policies
5/9/2026, 2:15:21 AM
Background & Context
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has pursued a series of foreign-policy and domestic actions that diverge sharply from post-Cold-War norms. Key moves include imposing broad tariffs, threatening NATO allies over Greenland, cutting aid to Ukraine, escalating the U.S.–Iran confrontation, and launching an aggressive immigration-enforcement campaign that deploys federal agents and the military to detain undocumented residents. These steps have been cited as drivers of both international and domestic disaffection with the United States.
Data & Statistics
- The Alliance of Democracies Foundation’s Democracy Perception Index recorded a net U.S. rating of -16 %, trailing Russia at -11 % and well below China’s +7 %. The survey covered 94,000 respondents in 98 countries (country-level sample: 46,600 respondents in 85 nations).
- An Associated Press-NORC poll found 60 % of adults now view the U.S. as no longer a “great place for immigrants.” One-third reported personal or family impact from the immigration crackdown, and 49 % of Hispanic respondents said they carry proof of citizenship or permanent residence.
- Multiple U.S. approval polls show record lows: Reuters/Ipsos and Pew report 34 % approval; NPR/PBS and Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos place approval at 37 %. Disapproval ranges from 56 % to 62 %, with Republicans increasingly critical (disapproval on the Iran war up to 60 %). Gas prices have risen to $4.30 /gal, fueling cost-of-living concerns.
Why It Matters
Internationally, the dip below Russia threatens NATO cohesion and undermines the U.S. role in democratic coalitions, a concern highlighted ahead of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit (May 12). Domestically, the perception of an unwelcoming nation fuels social tension, depresses civic trust, and shapes voter sentiment ahead of the November midterm elections.
Official Statements & Responses
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, founder of the Alliance of Democracies and former NATO secretary-general, described the trend as “saddening but not shocking,” linking it to recent tariff policies, NATO-related threats, and the Ukraine aid cut. The Alliance emphasized its mission to “defend and advance democratic values” through the perception survey. Polling firms (Nira Data, NPR/PBS, Reuters/Ipsos) have released the raw numbers but offered no policy explanations.
Criticism & Opposition
- “It’s just plain wrong,” said Reid Gibson, 72, a Missouri retiree, reflecting personal dismay at the immigration crackdown.
- Kathy Bailey, 79, Illinois Democrat, recounted a naturalized grandmother who now carries her passport out of fear.
- Nick Grivas, 40, Massachusetts resident, warned that “we’re not viewing [immigrant] children as potential future Americans.”
Democrats are statistically more likely than independents or Republicans to know someone directly affected by the immigration policies, according to the AP-NORC poll.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Approval-rating figures vary across surveys (34 %–37 % approval, 56 %–62 % disapproval), reflecting methodological differences. The perception index does not disclose the criteria that yielded a positive rating for China, leaving a gap in understanding the full comparative picture.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The fast decline of the United States’ perception around the world is saddening but not shocking,” — Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Alliance of Democracies Founder, Former NATO Secretary-General
- “It’s just plain wrong,” — Reid Gibson, 72, Retiree, Missouri
- “She’s an American citizen now, but she’s so scared that she has to carry her passport,” — Kathy Bailey, 79, Illinois Democrat
- “We can see how we’re treating children and the children of the immigrants, and we’re not viewing them as potential future Americans,” — Nick Grivas, 40, Massachusetts resident
What’s Next
The Copenhagen Democracy Summit on May 12 will examine the fallout from the perception shift, while the November midterm elections will test how domestic disaffection translates into electoral outcomes. Continued polling will track whether policy adjustments can reverse the steep decline in U.S. standing at home and abroad.
