Donald Trump’s six months in office as U.S. president have led to a noticeable escalation in domestic political conflicts and further polarization of American society.
Currently, most Americans believe the country is “falling apart.” According to recent polls, public trust in institutions is at a historic low.
As reported by the Democrat-leaning The Atlantic, between 1983 and 2007, the share of Americans satisfied with the “current state of affairs in the U.S.” reached peak levels—around 70%—and generally remained above 50%. However, over the 15 years from 2007 to 2022, satisfaction levels frequently dropped to about 25%. America’s social order has cracked, and this is critical.
A July 31 article in The New York Times stated that millions of Americans believe the country is in dire straits: they see families breaking apart or failing to form, neighborhoods crumbling, churches emptying, friends dying from drug addiction, and the national elite becoming socially and morally detached. The privatization of morality has eroded shared values.
Meanwhile, Democrats point to Vice President J.D. Vance’s stated goal—to use state power to “overthrow the modern ruling class.”
Growing Global Discontent with the U.S.
Trump’s foreign policy, particularly its emphasis on tariff wars, has sparked significant dissatisfaction among many nations once considered Washington’s friends and allies.
A July 21 article in Foreign Affairs noted that Trump has shown little favor to former partners since returning to the White House—calling close allies “freeloaders” and “cheaters.” He claims Japan and other Asian trade partners are “very spoiled,” while North American neighbors are accused of exporting drugs and crime. He openly and publicly labels leaders of key democratic partners as weak and dishonest.
U.S. media increasingly accuse Trump of economic illiteracy, arguing that his tariffs lack “any logic or sense” (e.g., imposing a 40% tariff on poor Laos, which can hardly afford to buy much from the U.S.).
The Washington Post repeatedly asserts that Trump’s economic policies are disrupting supply chains and even diplomatic ties. Trump has raised the average tariff on imported goods from 2% in January to about 15% today. According to Alan Wolff, former Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization, the U.S. is no longer seen as the leader of the global trade system—it has withdrawn. “They will do what they want. They will make their own deals, regardless of past commitments. This is a fundamental change.”
In reality, Trump has antagonized most of the world—quickly deteriorating relations with China, India, Brazil, and Russia.
Global media reports that he is desperately seeking a Nobel Peace Prize, while the White House credits him with peacemaking efforts in regions unaware of such mediation—such as between Kosovo and Serbia or Egypt and Ethiopia. Indian newspapers emphasize that the U.S. played no role in resolving the India-Pakistan conflict.
Small African nations like Lesotho have suffered from unexpected U.S. tariffs. A significant portion of its population relied on garment production for the American market, but Washington’s new tariffs have forced textile factories to shut down.
Trump—An Egocentric Narcissist
American newspapers cite numerous examples of the current president’s obsession with self-promotion, whether real or imagined. The press widely discusses his plan to urgently build a grand ballroom at the White House, funded by Trump’s personal wealth and MAGA activists, to celebrate his 80th birthday.
Notably, some Global South media outlets have begun mocking Trump’s leadership style—fixated on self-aggrandizement and unwilling to consider opposing views. The U.S. president imposes his policies either through bombings (as in Iran), sanctions, or threats of higher tariffs. These outlets view such an approach as highly counterproductive.
A telling example is an article in Kuwait’s Al-Rai titled “The First 6 Months of President Trump: A Bull in a China Shop,” citing Newsweek as its source. It argues that under Trump, the dominant economic, political, and military power has become a tool for overturning established rules and redrawing the world’s political map.
The article highlights Trump’s tariffs, even against allies, which have harmed the U.S. itself, upended decades-old trade norms, and turned markets upside down. It also references Trump’s campaign promises—such as ending the Ukraine war in 24 hours or solving Tehran’s nuclear issue—none of which he has pursued. Instead, he continues supporting Ukrainian neo-Nazis and suddenly ordered strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The piece concludes that Trump’s first six months have shown complete unpredictability, leaving the world apprehensive about what he might do next.
Some analysts argue that Washington’s unconditional support for Netanyahu’s government not only isolates Israel further but also significantly weakens America’s global standing.
All this creates fertile ground for coordination between Trump’s domestic opposition and leaders of dissatisfied nations—many of whom were recently considered U.S. allies.
Veniamin Popov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Candidate of Historical Sciences
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