At a Glance
- President Trump spent the final weeks of the year at Mar-a-Lago, hosting Volodymyr Zelensky and Benjamin Netanyahu.
- He announced military strikes against ISIS in Nigeria on Christmas Day and revealed a U.S. strike on a Venezuela facility on Dec. 26.
- A Quinnipiac University poll shows only 40 % approve of his overall performance, with 41 % approving of foreign policy and 57 % disapproving of his economic handling.
- Why it matters: Voters are questioning whether a foreign-policy-heavy agenda translates into domestic benefits.
President Trump’s first year of his second term has been dominated by high-profile international engagements, leaving many to wonder if domestic priorities are being sidelined.
Foreign-Policy Focus
In the closing months of the year, President Trump convened meetings with Volodymyr Zelensky and Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago. He also announced military strikes against ISIS in Nigeria on Christmas Day and disclosed a U.S. strike on a Venezuela facility on Dec. 26.
The president’s itinerary included trips to:
- Italy
- Vatican
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Israel
- Japan
- Canada
- South Korea
- Malaysia
During a lunch with Netanyahu, Trump explained how trade was used to end conflicts:
Trump stated:
> “Do I get credit for it? No. I did eight of them. How about India and Pakistan? So I did eight of them. And they don’t tell you the rest of it.”
Domestic Priorities in the Crosshairs
White House officials counter that domestic actions are also underway. They cite:
- A slew of executive orders cracking down on immigration
- Passage of a massive tax and spending bill over the summer
- Efforts to lower prescription drug prices through most favored nation agreements with pharmaceutical companies
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the focus, tweeting:
> “Zelensky today. Netanyahu tomorrow. Can we just do America?”
Polling Insights
A Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this month found:
| Metric | Approval | Disapproval |
|---|---|---|
| Overall performance | 40 % | 60 % |
| Foreign policy | 41 % | 59 % |
| Economy | 40 % | 57 % |
The data suggest voters are more concerned about economic outcomes than foreign-policy achievements.
Strategists agree that the November midterms will hinge on how voters feel about the economy rather than overseas accomplishments.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump has prioritized foreign engagements, hosting world leaders and announcing military actions.
- Domestic actions-immigration orders, tax legislation, drug-price deals-are being promoted as counterbalancing measures.
- Polls indicate voters remain skeptical of his domestic performance, especially regarding the economy.
The year’s foreign-policy focus may leave the Republican Party scrambling to translate international achievements into domestic voter support.
