The crisis of American soft power

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite the election of Joseph Biden in 2020, Donald Trump’s presidency has had a significant impact on U.S. politics and its role in the world. Specifically, Trump’s tenure laid bare a crisis of American soft power--the ability to influence others through attraction--which is a critical element of global leadership. This paper analyzes the long-term impact of Trump’s time in office on America’s soft power. While Biden’s response to the Ukraine crisis has reversed a precipitous decline in global percpetions of U.S. leadership, Trump’s tenure (and potential return) remains a persistent, negative influence unlikely to dissipate over time.