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President Donald Trump boards Marine One as he departs the White House on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C., hours ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony, making him the first president in more than 150 years to refuse to attend the inauguration. (Photo: Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
A new Pew Research Center report reveals a dramatic shift in the international community's view of the United States and its president over the past year, with a clear improvement since former President Donald Trump left office.
Stark contrasts were revealed in a survey of a dozen nations this year and last. At the end of Trump's presidency, a median of just 17% had confidence in him to do the right thing regarding world affairs. At the start of President Joe Biden's term in 2021, however, 75% expressed such confidence. And while a median of only 34% had a favorable view of the U.S. at the end of Trump's presidency, 62% had a favorable view at the start of Biden's presidency.
The increase in favorability surged by double digits since the end of last year in countries including France, where it was up 34 percentage points to 65%; Canada, where it went up 26 points to 61%; and Sweden, where it rose 24 points to 57%.
The polling also showed a clear contrast in countries' confidence in the U.S. president to do the right thing in world affairs. In Belgium, for example, just 9% expressed that confidence in Trump last year compared to 79% for Biden this year. There were also massive jumps in that confidence expressed in Sweden (70 points), Germany (68), Italy (59), and South Korea (50).
Responses also indicate that countries aren't missing Trump's braggadocio.
During Trump's first year of office, 90% described him as arrogant. Thirteen percent said that about Biden.
Just 16% said in 2017 that Trump was well qualified for the office, compared to 77% who said that about Biden this year.
Pew's survey of 16,254 adults in 16 countries this year also suggested the U.S. has work to do on strengthening its democracy.
Only 17% said democracy in the U.S. is a good example for others to follow. Fifty-seven percent said U.S. democracy used to be a good example but no longer is. According to 23%, it never was a good example.
Pew's report came as Biden is in Europe this week for his first overseas visit as president. He's currently in England ahead of the G7 summit, which begins in Cornwall on Friday.
Trump, meanwhile, has been spending considerable time at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, he "is bathed in adulation."
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
A new Pew Research Center report reveals a dramatic shift in the international community's view of the United States and its president over the past year, with a clear improvement since former President Donald Trump left office.
Stark contrasts were revealed in a survey of a dozen nations this year and last. At the end of Trump's presidency, a median of just 17% had confidence in him to do the right thing regarding world affairs. At the start of President Joe Biden's term in 2021, however, 75% expressed such confidence. And while a median of only 34% had a favorable view of the U.S. at the end of Trump's presidency, 62% had a favorable view at the start of Biden's presidency.
The increase in favorability surged by double digits since the end of last year in countries including France, where it was up 34 percentage points to 65%; Canada, where it went up 26 points to 61%; and Sweden, where it rose 24 points to 57%.
The polling also showed a clear contrast in countries' confidence in the U.S. president to do the right thing in world affairs. In Belgium, for example, just 9% expressed that confidence in Trump last year compared to 79% for Biden this year. There were also massive jumps in that confidence expressed in Sweden (70 points), Germany (68), Italy (59), and South Korea (50).
Responses also indicate that countries aren't missing Trump's braggadocio.
During Trump's first year of office, 90% described him as arrogant. Thirteen percent said that about Biden.
Just 16% said in 2017 that Trump was well qualified for the office, compared to 77% who said that about Biden this year.
Pew's survey of 16,254 adults in 16 countries this year also suggested the U.S. has work to do on strengthening its democracy.
Only 17% said democracy in the U.S. is a good example for others to follow. Fifty-seven percent said U.S. democracy used to be a good example but no longer is. According to 23%, it never was a good example.
Pew's report came as Biden is in Europe this week for his first overseas visit as president. He's currently in England ahead of the G7 summit, which begins in Cornwall on Friday.
Trump, meanwhile, has been spending considerable time at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, he "is bathed in adulation."
A new Pew Research Center report reveals a dramatic shift in the international community's view of the United States and its president over the past year, with a clear improvement since former President Donald Trump left office.
Stark contrasts were revealed in a survey of a dozen nations this year and last. At the end of Trump's presidency, a median of just 17% had confidence in him to do the right thing regarding world affairs. At the start of President Joe Biden's term in 2021, however, 75% expressed such confidence. And while a median of only 34% had a favorable view of the U.S. at the end of Trump's presidency, 62% had a favorable view at the start of Biden's presidency.
The increase in favorability surged by double digits since the end of last year in countries including France, where it was up 34 percentage points to 65%; Canada, where it went up 26 points to 61%; and Sweden, where it rose 24 points to 57%.
The polling also showed a clear contrast in countries' confidence in the U.S. president to do the right thing in world affairs. In Belgium, for example, just 9% expressed that confidence in Trump last year compared to 79% for Biden this year. There were also massive jumps in that confidence expressed in Sweden (70 points), Germany (68), Italy (59), and South Korea (50).
Responses also indicate that countries aren't missing Trump's braggadocio.
During Trump's first year of office, 90% described him as arrogant. Thirteen percent said that about Biden.
Just 16% said in 2017 that Trump was well qualified for the office, compared to 77% who said that about Biden this year.
Pew's survey of 16,254 adults in 16 countries this year also suggested the U.S. has work to do on strengthening its democracy.
Only 17% said democracy in the U.S. is a good example for others to follow. Fifty-seven percent said U.S. democracy used to be a good example but no longer is. According to 23%, it never was a good example.
Pew's report came as Biden is in Europe this week for his first overseas visit as president. He's currently in England ahead of the G7 summit, which begins in Cornwall on Friday.
Trump, meanwhile, has been spending considerable time at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, he "is bathed in adulation."