Chicago – April 01, 2026
Former Congressman Joe Walsh says America’s global standing has suffered badly since Donald Trump returned to office, arguing that many people abroad now view the U.S. with distrust, concern, disappointment, and ridicule. His comments echo recent polling that shows a sharp drop in confidence in U.S. leadership and a weaker international image.
In a recent post, Walsh said Trump has made America a country people “hate, despise, fear, feel sorry for, laugh at, no longer believe in” and want little to do with, blaming leadership for the damage. He argued that the tone set at the top shapes both national unity and how the world sees the United States.
That view is supported by survey data from Pew Research Center, which found that in 24 countries, 62% have little or no confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs, while only 34% express confidence. Ipsos has also reported a decline in the share of people who believe the U.S. will have a positive influence globally.
The debate now centers on how quickly a nation’s reputation can change and whether trust can be rebuilt through steadier leadership. For Walsh, the answer begins with accountability at the top.
