The world’s perception of the United States has plummeted to historic lows in the wake of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, according to the 2025 Democracy Perception Index, an international survey that polled over 110,000 people across 100 countries.
Once seen as a beacon of democratic values and global cooperation, the United States is now viewed with increasing skepticism, disappointment, and hostility. The report highlights a dramatic collapse in the country’s global reputation, particularly in Europe, where long-time allies have grown weary of Trump’s erratic leadership, aggressive rhetoric, and open disdain for multilateralism.
Trump’s second tenure has confirmed to many around the world that the chaos and antagonism of his first term were not anomalies, but rather a reflection of a deeper ideological shift in American governance.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former NATO Secretary General and founder of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, which coauthored the index, expressed little surprise at the data, noting that the sharp downturn in international views of the U.S. was a predictable consequence of Trump’s combative return and renewed anti-globalist agenda.
In Europe, where Trump has previously referred to the European Union as “pathetic,” “horrible,” and “formed to screw the United States,” the drop in American favorability was particularly steep. Former allies who once relied on U.S. leadership in security, trade, and diplomacy now see the United States as a source of instability rather than a guarantor of peace.
Even in countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands — where public opinion of the U.S. had briefly rebounded in recent years — approval ratings have collapsed under the weight of Trump’s inflammatory comments and unpredictable policies.
Trump’s undermining of NATO, withdrawal from climate and trade agreements, and repeated praise of autocrats have severely damaged the credibility of American diplomacy. In this new global context, many foreign citizens no longer believe that the U.S. stands for democracy, freedom, or rule of law.
Instead, Trump’s America is increasingly seen as a nation in decline, one that exports dysfunction, polarization, and cultural arrogance while ignoring its own internal crises.
The most striking revelation from the 2025 index is that China, for the first time, has surpassed the United States in global favorability. While perceptions of China remain largely negative in Europe, they have improved in nearly every other region of the world, including Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
China’s ongoing economic investments, diplomatic engagement, and carefully managed global messaging have elevated its status as a dependable international partner. In contrast, the United States under Trump has become synonymous with volatility and unreliability.
Washington’s tendency to abandon agreements, criticize allies, and attack multilateral organizations has eroded trust even among traditional partners. As China positions itself as a pragmatic alternative to the U.S., Trump’s bombastic leadership style and isolationist policies have made it increasingly difficult for America to maintain its influence abroad.
Perhaps even more telling than the fall in America’s favorability is Trump’s personal unpopularity. The survey shows that he is the least admired figure among a wide array of global leaders and public figures.
Trump scored lower than Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, both of whom are widely regarded as authoritarian rulers with dismal human rights records. He was also less favorably viewed than cultural and business icons like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Taylor Swift, and even Kim Kardashian.
The late Pope Francis, despite no longer being alive, still commands more global respect than the sitting president of the United States.
That a former reality television host turned head of state has now become the most disliked leader on the planet speaks volumes about how deeply Trump has alienated the world. His refusal to condemn white nationalism, his support for violent rhetoric, and his overt disdain for international norms have made him a symbol of extremism rather than strength.
The global perception of the United States as a country has been further damaged by its unwavering support for Israel amid escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank. The same survey reveals that Israel now holds the worst global reputation of any country polled, especially in the Middle East and South Asia.
That even long-standing allies of Israel such as Germany now express discomfort with its conduct suggests a growing divide between public opinion and Western political leadership.
The United States, through Trump’s unwavering alliance with Israel’s right-wing government and refusal to condemn its military operations, is seen as complicit in what many around the world now view as unjustified aggression.
The International Criminal Court’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on war crimes charges has only intensified global scrutiny — and America’s continued defense of Israel is pulling its own reputation down further with it.
Russia, which saw its international standing crater after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, still remains widely unpopular but has managed to slightly recover in some regions due to diplomatic recalibration and shifting global power dynamics.
That even a pariah state like Russia is beginning to rehabilitate its image while the United States continues to fall behind underscores just how badly Trump’s leadership has hurt American soft power. International observers warn that this trend could have serious geopolitical consequences.
As the U.S. loses moral credibility and influence, autocratic regimes are stepping in to fill the vacuum, offering alternative models of governance that are often less transparent, less democratic, and more oppressive. Meanwhile, democratic movements that once looked to America for inspiration and support are increasingly skeptical that Washington can still be a reliable ally.
This decline in U.S. favorability is not just about foreign policy. It also reflects how the rest of the world views American society under Trump — polarized, violent, distrustful of science, and increasingly hostile to diversity and inclusion.
Trump’s cultural war tactics, frequent attacks on marginalized groups, and embrace of conspiracy theories have fueled an image of a country at war with itself. Foreign citizens see images of mass shootings, book bans, abortion rollbacks, and political extremism and conclude that American democracy is no longer a model to emulate but a warning to heed.
Trump’s portrayal of American greatness — filled with nationalism, grievance, and paranoia — does not resonate globally. Instead, it alarms those who once admired the United States for its ideals of openness, innovation, and resilience.
The 2025 Democracy Perception Index delivers a sobering message to anyone who still believes that American exceptionalism will carry the nation through its current crisis. Under Trump’s renewed leadership, the United States is not reclaiming its place at the top of the world order — it is falling behind.
The damage to America’s image, credibility, and alliances may not be irreversible, but every day Trump remains in office, the gap between the U.S. and the rest of the world widens.
What was once considered the leader of the free world is now seen as a cautionary tale, a powerful nation derailed by ego, ideology, and ignorance. The decline is measurable, global, and deeply connected to one man’s return to power. And if this trend continues, it will not be China or Russia that undermines American leadership — it will be Donald Trump.
