Here's a story about perception and reality, or maybe just two different realities. According to a new poll, most Americans think the United States' standing in the world has taken a hit during President Donald Trump's second term. This comes as the president himself is talking up what he calls a "golden age" for the country. So, who's right? Well, that depends on who you ask, and the poll numbers show just how split the country is on the question.
The Economist/YouGov survey of 1,551 adults found that 52% believe U.S. global influence has deteriorated under Trump's current term. On the other side, 29% said it has actually improved, while 12% said it's remained about the same. The remaining 7% weren't sure. It's a pretty clear majority in the "decline" camp, but a significant minority sees things moving in the opposite direction.
People who think influence is waning point to a familiar list of concerns: foreign policy moves, trade disputes, and diplomatic tensions with longtime allies like the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Canada. The Trump administration has pursued what supporters call assertive leadership—things like military strikes, expanding tariffs, and efforts to reshape international relationships. Critics, however, frame those same actions as destabilizing. It's the classic political Rorschach test: one person's strong stance is another person's reckless provocation.
The poll also notes broader political pressure, with Trump's approval rating sitting at 41.2% and disapproval at 56.4% in a separate polling average. The foreign policy debate seems to be a microcosm of that larger divide.
Meanwhile, President Trump has been painting a very different picture. In his second-term State of the Union address, he framed the current era as a "golden age," highlighting economic gains, tighter border enforcement, and record stock market highs, while claiming major foreign investment commitments. But official data showed slower growth than his optimistic assessment suggested, and public polling reflected ongoing skepticism about the economy. It's a reminder that a president's narrative and the public's lived experience don't always align.
The skepticism isn't just about perception. Some critics are raising alarms about tangible risks. Last month, economist Peter Schiff argued that Trump's aggressive foreign policy rhetoric has worsened debt and currency risks, pointing to the $38 trillion national debt and rising interest costs. He warned that escalating fiscal pressures and declining foreign demand for U.S. assets could weaken the dollar and intensify financial vulnerabilities. It's a sobering counterpoint to talk of a golden age.
The diplomatic strategy has also drawn fire from seasoned observers. Last year, former Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers criticized U.S. strategy, pointing to high-profile meetings in China involving leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. He said those gatherings signaled that U.S. policy had "united our adversaries and divided our friends," calling it a breakdown in traditional alliance-building and a threat to global stability.
So, what's the takeaway? The poll tells us that a majority of Americans are looking at the country's role in the world and seeing a decline. The administration and its supporters are looking at the same set of facts and seeing a resurgence. And economists and former officials are looking at the balance sheet and the diplomatic chessboard and seeing potential trouble ahead. In the end, maybe the only thing everyone can agree on is that they disagree—sharply—about what "American influence" even means in 2025.
