U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about world leaders have unexpectedly boosted their popularity at home. Experts say that his comments create an "external threat" that rallies support for these leaders. This has been particularly evident for leaders like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who have seen their approval ratings rise since Trump returned to office in January.
Political analyst Matthew Lebo noted that Trump’s actions are having the opposite effect of what he intended. Instead of weakening these leaders, he is uniting their countries against him. Zelenskyy, for instance, had seen his approval ratings drop from over 80% at the start of the Russian invasion in 2022 to around 60% last November. However, recent polls show a resurgence in his trustworthiness among Ukrainians, climbing from 57% to 67% during a period when Trump criticized him.
In Europe, leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have also experienced a bump in their approval ratings. Macron’s popularity increased by seven points to 31%, while Starmer’s net approval rose by ten points. Both leaders have been active in supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
Trudeau’s situation is also notable. His approval ratings jumped from a historic low of 22% to 34% recently. This increase comes as he prepares to step down as Prime Minister. An Ipsos poll showed that the Liberal Party is slightly ahead of the Conservatives for the first time since 2021.
In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum reached a record high approval rating of 85%. This surge is attributed to Trump’s tariff threats and aggressive rhetoric, which have prompted a rallying effect among citizens in various countries.
Political science experts point out that this phenomenon is similar to past instances where leaders gained support during times of perceived national threat. For example, George W. Bush saw a significant rise in approval ratings following the 9/11 attacks.
While many leaders are benefiting from Trump’s comments, the U.S. Democratic Party has not seen a similar boost. A recent Quinnipiac poll revealed that the Democrats are at a low point, with only 21% support compared to 40% for Republicans.
As the political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen whether this support for incumbents will last and if it will influence upcoming elections. Mark Carney, who recently became the new Liberal leader in Canada, has vowed to confront Trump. His challenge will be to maintain this momentum and appeal to voters who may feel uncertain about the future.