The long-standing bipartisan tradition of U.S. foreign policy promoting democratic institutions worldwide has been upended by President Donald Trump, who openly praises leaders drifting toward autocracy, The New York Times reports in an analysis of American diplomacy following Trump’s return to the White House.
While former President Joe Biden excluded Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from democracy summits due to his authoritarian tendencies, Trump recently called Erdoğan a “good leader” without addressing the protests sparked by the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor—Erdoğan’s key political rival.
Since taking office on January 20, Trump has reversed America’s diplomatic stance, supporting rather than condemning leaders who abandon democratic principles. His actions—retaliating against political rivals, attacking legal institutions, journalists, and universities, and questioning judicial authority—are serving as a blueprint for leaders in countries like Serbia and Israel, who are already testing the limits of their institutions.
“A Strong Encouragement”
Rosa Balfour, director of the Carnegie Europe institute, stated: “What Trump says has a powerful resonance. But even more so, what the U.S. fails to do—there are no repercussions for undermining the rule of law or democracy.”
Former congresswoman Jane Harman noted that Erdoğan and other world leaders have been sliding away from democratic principles for years, but Trump’s return has emboldened them.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces no U.S. pressure regarding his judicial reforms. Recently, he dismissed the head of internal intelligence and backed a parliamentary move granting lawmakers more power over judicial appointments—steps widely seen as efforts to undermine judicial independence.
Vučić Following Trump’s Lead
In Serbia, President Aleksandar Vučić has long targeted the media and political opponents. Last month, after Trump disbanded USAID, Vučić ordered police raids on organizations that had received funding from the agency. Serbian officials cited Trump’s actions as justification, while Trump Jr. later traveled to Belgrade to interview Vučić, praising his leadership and condemning Western media criticism.
Trump’s influence extends beyond words, as his diplomats are actively engaging with authoritarian leaders. Following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, a Trump envoy praised Erdoğan’s leadership, stating that “good news is coming from Turkey”—a signal closely watched by strongmen worldwide.
