Americans’ views on Trump’s foreign policy so far

American public opinion on foreign policy is deeply polarized, mirroring the divisions seen in domestic politics. Recent polling from the Institute for Global Affairs at Eurasia Group highlights significant partisan splits over key issues, such as support for unauthorized military strikes against drug cartels in Latin America. Overall, 44% of Americans favor such actions, but this support is skewed heavily along party lines, with 79% of Republicans in favor and 73% of Democrats opposed. Additionally, views on President Trump’s execution of his “America First” policies are mixed; while 50% rate his performance poorly, partisan differences are stark—89% of Democrats express dissatisfaction, whereas 53% of Republicans deem his performance excellent.The survey also sheds light on divergent priorities between the parties regarding U.S. foreign policy. A plurality of Republicans (46%) prioritize protecting America from foreign threats, contrasting sharply with just 13% of Democrats who share that view. In contrast, 40% of Democrats believe that promoting democracy and human rights is paramount, a sentiment held by only 8% of Republicans. Democrats are particularly concerned with the rise of authoritarianism, seeing it as the primary threat to democracy, while Republicans emphasize immigration and free trade as more pressing concerns.

In assessing Trump’s overall leadership, perceptions vary widely. While about half of Democrats view him as reckless, Republicans tend to see him as tough and intelligent, with a significant portion describing him as a peacemaker. Despite Trump’s claims of having brokered a ceasefire in Gaza, a strong majority (63%) of Americans believe he does not deserve a Nobel Peace Prize, including 95% of Democrats and a slim majority of Republicans.

Specific foreign conflicts further illustrate the partisan divide. Many Democrats advocate for halting military support for Israel, with half of respondents characterizing Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, a claim only 8% of Republicans share. Views on the Ukraine conflict also diverge, with a majority of Democrats believing Trump complicates the situation, while Republicans maintain more favorable views of his actions. In contrast, there is a rare consensus on Iran, where a plurality supports imposing harsher sanctions should Iran resume its nuclear program.

Finally, the survey reveals a growing sentiment for congressional approval before military actions, reflecting an increasing desire for checks on presidential power. While there is some consensus on military spending—most Democrats favor cuts while Republicans largely oppose them—general attitudes towards U.S. military aid are also shifting. A plurality believes that the U.S. provides too much aid to foreign nations, reflecting a broader reevaluation of American military commitments post-Afghanistan and Iraq. Ultimately, Trump’s “America First” policy continues to resonate with some Americans, but its implementation remains controversial and polarized, suggesting that the greatest challenges to this approach may still lie ahead.