Only 28% of Britons Approve U.S. Leadership as Trump Comes to Define America at 250
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 21
Only 28% of Britons Approve U.S. Leadership as Trump Comes to Define America at 250
7 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 21
AP interviews across Britain found adults almost unanimously said they cannot discuss the United States in 2026 without referring to President Donald Trump, even when praising American wealth, culture or resilience.
That perception is reflected in polling: Gallup found only 28% of British adults approved of U.S. leadership in late 2025, while 68% disapproved; Pew found U.K. favorability toward the U.S. had fallen from about two-thirds early in Joe Biden’s term.
Trump has also reshaped the "special relationship" personally, praising King Charles III while dismissing Prime Minister Keir Starmer as "not Winston Churchill" after Britain refused to join the U.S. war against Iran.
The unease sits alongside a longer British habit of admiring and criticizing America at once, from Charles Dickens' 1842 disappointment to more recent anger over Iraq, gun violence and immigration crackdowns.
As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, many Britons still see a powerful, creative ally — but one whose image is now filtered first through Trump.
Is the historic US-UK 'special relationship' now permanently broken?
As US global approval falls, how are allies like Britain adapting to the new world order?
How is King Charles using diplomacy to shield British interests from US pressure?