The presidency of Donald Trump has been marked by a foreign policy that has drawn widespread disapproval from the American public. According to a recent poll, 61% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of foreign affairs in general.
Trump’s actions, such as the “seizure” of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his attempts to annex or purchase Greenland, have been seen by many as reckless and detrimental to American interests. Rather than pursuing a coherent, strategic foreign policy, Trump appears to be driven by his own personal whims and a desire for spectacle, treating international affairs like a “reality TV show.”
Historian Sidney Blumenthal argues that Trump’s “Donroe Doctrine” – a play on the Monroe Doctrine – represents a primitive form of imperialism, one that is more concerned with self-aggrandizement than the national interest. Trump has openly stated his desire to “run” Venezuela and control its oil industry, while dismissing the concerns of traditional allies like Denmark over Greenland.
Blumenthal draws parallels between Trump’s approach and the “wimp factor” that plagued former President George H.W. Bush. Despite Bush’s foreign policy successes, such as the Gulf War, he was perceived as weak, which ultimately contributed to his electoral defeat. Similarly, Blumenthal suggests that Trump’s posturing as a strongman may be undermining the Republican Party as a whole, as they defer to his authority and are seen as “supine weaklings” in the eyes of the public.
The article also highlights Trump’s disdain for economic realities, with the president dismissing the “affordability crisis” facing many Americans. This, combined with his aggressive foreign policy, paints a picture of a president more interested in personal aggrandizement than the wellbeing of the country he leads.
Blumenthal’s analysis serves as a cautionary tale, warning that the performance of power is not always what it seems. As the 2020 midterm elections approach, the Republican Party’s acquiescence to Trump’s whims may come at a significant political cost.