Distrust grows in the US and exposes wear and tear of Trump’s foreign policy

A new CNN survey conducted by SSRs sheds light on a phenomenon that can significantly alter the role of the United States in the international geopolitical board: the growing distrust of the US population about military support to Israel and, more widely, US direct involvement in conflicts and international issues. With significant numbers, the survey points to a profound change in the mood of the electorate-and the perception of the legitimacy of traditional US interference in conflict zones.

According to the poll, only 23% of Americans consider Israel’s military actions to be fully justified in Gaza, a 27 percentage drop in October 2023, shortly after Hamas attacks. Even more alarming: 22% claim that these actions are not justified in any way, signaling a growing polarization in the debate.

The picture revealed by the research puts in check the traditional narrative that the US would be the “police of the world”, defenders of freedom and international order. What is seen today is an internally divided country, with a significant part of the population rejecting involvement in foreign wars and questioning the moral and practical validity of their interference.

With the approach of the 2026 presidential elections, the future of US foreign policy – especially in relation to the Middle East – should occupy central space in the debates. Popular dissatisfaction may force changes in the country’s strategic axis and redefine US role in an increasingly multipolar and suspicious world of US unipolar hegemony.

Military help under scrutiny: free fall support

Disclaimer is not limited to the perception of Israel. The questioning of US military aid to strategic allies, especially Israel, has also gained strength. Among the Democrats, the number of those who consider this excessive aid jumped from 44% in March to 59% now. Among young Democrats (under 35), 72% consider that the US is doing too much – and, more impressive, 43% advocate the full end of military support to Israel.

Rejection of military support is not restricted to party affiliations: among people in color, for example, 57% believe that Israel used excessive strength and only 13% think actions were fully justified. Already among young people in general, 61% point out excessive use of strength by Israel and 56% say the US is doing too much for Tel Aviv.

Interventionist fatigue

More than 56% of respondents believe that the United States should no longer take a leadership role in solving international problems, marking a turn to the historical standard of foreign policy.

The data gains special weight after US attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, week before research – actions that not only rekindled the debate on military unilateralism, but also fed criticism of the side effects of both international and domestic interference.

Democrats’ wear is particularly remarkable: support for international leadership has dropped from 58% to 44% since March. Among those who oppose international leadership, support for Israeli actions also collapses: only 25% say they were justified, against 61% among interventionists.

Divided Republicans: hawks, isolationists and the legacy Trump

Historically linked to a more aggressive foreign policy, Republicans today live an internal division over interventionism. Since Donald Trump has incorporated the isolation discourse as one of his pillars, the party has been oscillating between the Belicista tradition and the rhetoric of “America in the First place.”

While part of the base still considers international leadership crucial-especially in supporting Ukraine against Russia-another part sees external involvement as a strategic error that harms US citizens themselves.

Trump under pressure: rejection grows as commander-chief

Despite maintaining popularity among Republicans, Donald Trump faces a strong rejection in conducting national foreign policy. According to the survey, 60% of Americans disapprove of their performance, and 59% specifically disapprove of their role as commander-in-chief, the highest rate since its first term.

After attacks on Iran, 53% believe Trump damaged the US image worldwide, against only 31% who see gains from their international management.