Donald Trump’s standing appears to have taken another bruising, both at home and abroad, as polling suggests many voters remain unconvinced by his claims of diplomatic triumph.
The US president has repeatedly presented himself as a dealmaker on the world stage, particularly over Iran, but recent polling indicates that many Americans are sceptical. A recent Economist/YouGov poll found that two-thirds of Americans believed Trump had been ineffective in negotiations with Iran, while 63% disapproved of his handling of the economy.
Internationally, the picture is hardly rosier. Pew Research found that Trump received mostly negative ratings across 24 countries, with more than half of adults in 19 of those nations saying they lacked confidence in his leadership of world affairs. Ipsos also reported that America’s reputation had fallen sharply, with belief in the US as a positive influence declining in 26 out of 29 countries surveyed.
Yet Trump’s instinct for spectacle remains undimmed. His planned White House State Ballroom, part of a major East Wing expansion, has already attracted controversy over its design, funding and historical impact. The project is intended to create a grander venue for state dinners and ceremonial events, with the White House previously saying it should be completed before Trump’s term ends in 2029.
Whether such presidential theatre can repair his polling troubles is another matter. A glittering ballroom may impress visiting dignitaries and perhaps even tempt King Charles to cast an envious glance from Buckingham Palace. Though, given reports that the King does not intend to return to Buckingham Palace as his main residence after its refurbishment, even that royal comparison may be slipping from Trump’s grasp.
Trump remains impossible to ignore, but being watched is not the same as being admired. The chandeliers may sparkle, but the numbers are looking rather less royal.
