The Steady Decline of America’s Prestige and Power

Philip Kotler

I came across a recent NYT article “America is Losing the Fight for the Teenagers of the World.” The author, Stephen Marche, says teenagers around the world knew and admired American figures and inventions such Elvis Presley, Superman, Chubby Checkers, Levi’s Jeans, “Let’s Twist.” Pop culture was an immensely powerful American cultural force. Stephen thinks we have lost that popularity and not just to teenagers. I began to think that we lost whatever world citizens and governments thought was good about America.

When U.S. citizens elected Donald Trump President in 2016, Trump announced his theme would be “Make America Great Again (MAGA).

This was a bad theme. It suggested that America lost or was losing its greatness. Yet America at that time was still seen by the world as a great and powerful country. America had great allies, America gave generous financial assistance to less developed countries, and America actively supported better environmental and climate policies.

When Trump was elected for his second term in 2024, he announced a new theme, “America First”. This new theme proved to be a worse choice than his first theme. It said that America would focus mostly on improving America’s economic and political situation. This meant that America would play a zero-sum game, one designed to improve America’s situation at the expense of other countries, including its allies. America would cut foreign assistance to poor countries. America would stop supporting environmental and climate policies. America would levy high tariffs on its suppliers, including its closest allies such as Canada and Mexico.

What did these two Trump themes do to America’s image? What do world citizens and governments now think about American capitalism, democracy, society and leadership? Has America lost trust, prestige and power as a result of Trump’s Presidency?

Other Nations Views of U.S. Prestige and Power

Many foreign citizens and leaders have become more skeptical, especially about Trump’s “America First” policy. Yet there is some country variation.

A Pew Research Center survey in 2025 covering 24 countries reported that half of the people surveyed view the U.S. favorably and the other half viewed the U.S. unfavorably. In countries like Hungary, Kenya and Nigeria, roughly three-quarters or more say U.S. democracy works well. These countries have authoritarian leaders, and Trump has recently publicly said he favors authoritarian leaders. Many people in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Poland, and South Korea also give positive assessments.

On the other hand, in much of Western Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico — many respondents say U.S. democracy is functioning poorly; in some of those countries, a third say it’s “very poor.”

On global issues — economic problems, foreign-policy challenges, U.S.–China relations — confidence in Trump’s leadership is low in most places. A 2025 Pew survey found a median of 32% globally have confidence in Trump’s ability to manage global economic problems, while 67% do not; similar numbers apply to his handling of U.S.–China relations.

In many countries, people no longer see U.S. democracy or U.S. leadership as an unquestioned “gold standard.” There is skepticism about whether American-style democracy is still a reliable and aspirational model. Can U.S. leadership under “America First” be trusted to address global challenges like climate, trade, and security. Some argue that recent U.S. moves under Trump — tariffs, unilateral decisions, retreat from multilateralism, transactional diplomacy, unpredictability — have caused “irreparable damage to U.S. power and prestige.”

Many traditional allies are hedging their bets — reducing dependence on the U.S. and building stronger regional or multilateral partnerships.

Some believe that “American capitalism and democracy” lost moral and soft-power appeal globally. Many abroad see rising polarization, inequality, and institutional dysfunction in the U.S. undermines the U.S. model. The “brand” of American democracy + capitalism is no longer guaranteed to be admired or emulated; many now see it — fairly or not — as flawed or unstable.

Still some countries (especially in parts of Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe), U.S. democracy continues to be viewed positively — especially among people who value economic opportunity, individual freedom, or see the U.S. as a counterbalance to rival powers. America’s structural advantages — technology, economy, military power, cultural influence — remain significant.

Can the U.S. Regain Its Prestige and Power?

Yes, to some extent. But not under Trump.

The only hope is that the Democrats win the 2028 Presidential election. Ideally, the election could be won by a serious and deep-thinking Democrat who also carries a measure of charisma.

I have asked friends for their ideas of what Democrats should do to clean up the mess made by Trump and his MAGA supporters. Here are some “wishful” suggestions.

· Congress charges Trump with crimes he committed before he became President. Trump will either be jailed or flee to Russia or Saudi Arabia for protection.

· Trump’s name should be erased or removed where it was imposed. No renaming of the Kennedy Center with Trump’s name. No Trump coins or U.S. currency with Trump’s name and picture.

· Congress will propose an amendment for a new system for Presidential pardons that would prevent a President from liberally pardoning convicted gangsters and business leaders.

· Congress will propose limitations in Presidential power so that a new U.S. President can never arise again and assume dictatorial power.

· Congress will enthusiastically rejoin the Paris agreement on climate control and rejoin other international groups it had abandoned.

· Congress will restore a program of foreign assistance to help less developed countries get their start.

· Congress will return autonomy to American colleges and pay back the colleges that were bribed by Trump to pay penalties for alleged discrimination.

· Congress will revise immigration policies providing paths to citizenship and increase the admission of capable foreign students to U.S. universities.

I realize what is needed is a fuller set of policies that would restore America’s prestige and power. I wondered whether artificial intelligence (AI) could put together a full set of principles and practices. I asked ChatGPT to frame this as non-partisan governance best practices — the kinds of measures any future U.S. administration could take to strengthen global prestige, national power, and the country’s international image. Here are ChatGPT’s recommendations. I find them impressive.

Key Measures a Future U.S. President Could Take to Restore Prestige and Global Standing

1. Rebuild Alliances & Strengthen Multilateral Engagement

• Reaffirm commitments to NATO, Indo-Pacific allies, and Latin American partners.
• Increase diplomatic presence: fill ambassadorships early with people who understand the countries they are assigned.
• Re-engage constructively in global institutions (UN bodies, WTO, WHO, IMF/WB).
• Lead in resolving shared global crises (pandemics, economic instability, migration, climate adaptation).

Why this matters: Allies amplify U.S. influence and credibility; strong multilateral engagement signals reliability.

2. Restore Predictability, Stability & Rule-Based Governance

• Emphasize transparent, consistent foreign policy messaging.
• Avoid erratic shifts in long-standing commitments.
• Strengthen legal and institutional norms: respect congressional oversight, independent agencies, judicial processes.

Why this matters: Stability and rule-of-law governance are core to international trust in U.S. leadership.

3. Invest in Domestic Strength as a Foundation for Global Power

• Modernize critical infrastructure (energy grids, broadband, transportation).
• Boost STEM education, skilled immigration pathways, and workforce development.
• Expand manufacturing resilience in key sectors (semiconductors, clean energy, pharmaceuticals).
• Promote fiscal responsibility to maintain long-term economic credibility.

Why this matters: The nation’s global influence is only as strong as its domestic foundations.

4. Lead on Emerging Technology Governance

• Set global standards on AI safety, cybersecurity, data privacy, and quantum technologies.
• Build coalitions to counter cyber threats and disinformation.
• Support responsible innovation with safeguards and international cooperation.

Why this matters: Technology governance is the new frontier of global leadership.

5. Advance a Values-Based, Credible Human Rights Policy

• Promote human rights consistently across allies and adversaries.
• Support civil society, media freedom, and anti-corruption efforts abroad.
• Balance values with pragmatism, avoiding double standards when possible.

6. Stabilize and Lead on Climate, Energy & Environmental Policy

• Invest in clean energy leadership (renewables, advanced nuclear, grid modernization).
• Strengthening global climate finance commitments.
• Support international disaster resilience and climate adaptation partnerships.

Why this matters: Climate leadership shapes global influence and future economic competitiveness.

7. Pursue Sustainable, Responsible Economic Diplomacy

• Promote fair trade agreements with labor, environment, and digital standards.
• Reduce over-reliance on adversarial supply chains while building cooperative economic blocks.
• Strengthening development partnerships, especially in Africa, South/Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

Why this matters: Economic networks are critical tools of 21st-century power.

8. Modernize National Defense & Deterrence

• Deepen partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and reinforce extended deterrence.
• Accelerate modernization in cybersecurity, space defense, and high-tech capabilities.
• Focus on preventing conflict through diplomacy paired with credible deterrence.

Why this matters: A modern, responsible defense posture underpins global stability.

9. Improve America’s Global Image Through People-to-People Engagement

• Expand cultural and educational exchanges (Fulbright, visas for students/scientists).
• Restore U.S. global media presence and public diplomacy programs.
• Encourage responsible tourism, global volunteerism, and cross-border academic collaboration.

Why this matters: People-to-people ties build trust that transcends geopolitics.

10. Prioritize National Unity & Democratic Resilience at Home

• Promote civil discourse and reduce political polarization.
• Protect election integrity and voting access.
• Address domestic extremism through rule-of-law approaches and community resilience programs.

Why this matters: A healthy democracy projects strength and confidence internationally.

Summary

These measures — rooted in diplomacy, domestic renewal, technological leadership, and democratic stability — represent widely recognized pathways to improving America’s global prestige, power, and image. They are not specific to any party; rather, they reflect best practices for any administration seeking global respect and influence.

Conclusion

Donald Trump had a very poor understanding of American Constitutional history. He appointed members to his Cabinet based largely on total loyalty to Trump but with little experience or merit for managing their departments. Trump adopted an authoritarian style. He cursed everyone, especially Democrats, whom he disliked. He acted as if only one party should exist, the Republicans, instead of advancing the interests of all U. S. citizens. Trump ran a “divide and conquer” strategy that polarized the nation to the extent that Republicans wouldn’t work, compromise or even talk to Democrats.