Trump's Terms Many Americans say the U.S. is not a moral leader but want it to be: NPR/Ipsos poll
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Jan 9, 2026 In this insightful discussion, NPR reporter Frank Lankfitt shares his analysis of a recent NPR-Ipsos poll indicating a significant decline in Americans viewing the U.S. as a moral leader, dropping from 60% to 39%. He highlights partisan differences in these views and reports on public sentiments about U.S. influence, particularly regarding Venezuela and Trump's approach. Anecdotes from voters reflect a desire for prioritizing domestic issues over foreign interventions, revealing the complex expectations Americans have of their leaders.
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Decline In Perceived U.S. Moral Leadership
- Americans' faith in U.S. moral leadership has fallen from 60% in 2017 to 39% now.
- Frank Lankfitt frames this as a clear shift in public perception about America's global role.
Perceived Loss Of Global Influence
- Half of respondents think the U.S. is losing influence globally according to the poll.
- That pessimism ties into doubts about America's moral leadership, Frank Lankfitt says.
Voter Reflects On America's Lost Moral Effort
- Suzanne Watson, a retired nurse and independent voter, says America used to try and 'at least on the surface' be moral.
- She feels that effort has been given up since Trump's election.