Fresh polling data indicates a significant majority of the American public disapproves of President Donald Trump's approach to international affairs, casting a shadow over his recent interventions in Venezuela and renewed interest in Greenland.
Public Rejects 'Donroe Doctrine' and Imperial Ambitions
According to a recent AP-NORC poll, 61% of Americans disapprove of Donald Trump's foreign policy in general. This sentiment is reflected in specific policy rejections. A Quinnipiac University poll found 57% oppose his plan to 'run' Venezuela, with an overwhelming 73% against sending US troops to the South American nation. Furthermore, 55% are opposed to taking over Venezuela's oil sales.
Trump's foreign ventures, which he has branded the 'Donroe Doctrine', have been characterised by unilateral action and a focus on resource extraction. During a press conference on 3 January concerning the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Trump mentioned 'oil' 27 times and 'money' 13 times, but did not utter the word 'democracy' once. He framed the action as a 'decapitation' rather than regime change, aligning himself with existing powers and declaring, 'We have to fix the country first. You can't have an election.'
His ambitions extend beyond Venezuela. Despite a Reuters-Ipsos poll showing only 17% support for acquiring Greenland, and a scant 4% backing the use of military force, Trump has revisited dreams of annexing or purchasing the autonomous Danish territory. He told the New York Times that ownership was 'psychologically necessary for success', a stance that prompted a rebuke from the leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
A Vanity Project Built on Shifting Sands
Trump's policy often appears driven by personal spectacle over strategic substance. He invited oil company CEOs to the White House to encourage investment in Venezuela's dilapidated oil industry, only to be told by ExxonMobil's chief that the country was 'uninvestable'. The meeting was repeatedly interrupted by Trump's fascination with the construction of a gargantuan new ballroom on the South Lawn, which he described as a unique global attraction.
This focus on grand, self-aggrandising projects mirrors his approach to foreign policy, which one critic described as 'schlock and awe'. The approach stands in stark contrast to the original intent of the Monroe Doctrine, as articulated by John Quincy Adams, who warned against the US going 'abroad in search of monsters to destroy'.
Meanwhile, domestic concerns are mounting. Public disapproval of Trump's foreign policy now nearly matches discontent with his economic stewardship, particularly regarding the cost of living. Trump has repeatedly dismissed the 'affordability crisis' as a 'hoax' or 'fake word'.
Historical Parallels and Political Peril
The situation draws historical parallels to President George H.W. Bush, whose political fortunes offer a cautionary tale. After achieving an 89% approval rating following the swift victory in the 1991 Gulf War—a triumph that seemingly vanquished his 'wimp factor' image—Bush went on to lose the 1992 election to Bill Clinton.
Analysis by former Bush administration official Richard Darman revealed a cruel political alchemy: the stronger Bush appeared on the world stage after the war, the more the public believed he was capable but unwilling to help them during a domestic recession. His foreign policy success ultimately contributed to his political demise, a dynamic that could threaten Trump and the Republican Party.
Trump has explicitly rejected the Bush legacy, humiliating Jeb Bush during the 2016 primaries and later mocking George H.W. Bush's 'thousand points of light' slogan. The Republican Party has largely fallen into line, with the Senate blocking a resolution on 14 January that would have required Trump to seek congressional approval for military force in Venezuela.
As the midterm elections approach, the party defines itself in service to Trump's 'strongman' persona. However, the Quinnipiac poll reveals an incredible shrinking mandate: 86% oppose militarily seizing Greenland, 55% oppose buying it, and 70% are against military action against Iran. The performance of supreme power, it seems, is not always what it appears to be to the public.
