Fact Check: Trump is the first president to reject soft power's value in foreign policy
What We Know
The term "soft power" was coined by Professor Joseph Nye, who argues that it represents a nation's ability to influence others through attraction rather than coercion or payment. Nye has noted that during Donald Trump's presidency, there has been a significant decline in the perceived value of soft power in U.S. foreign policy. He suggests that Trump's "America First" approach often implies a disregard for the subtleties of international diplomacy that soft power embodies. Nye states, "there's much less subtlety in Trump’s second administration," indicating a shift away from traditional soft power strategies (Nye, 2025).
Several analyses support the claim that Trump is unique among U.S. presidents in his rejection of soft power. For instance, a Los Angeles Times article asserts that Trump is the first president to outright dismiss the notion that soft power has any value in foreign policy. This perspective is echoed in various academic and policy discussions, including a USC Center on Public Diplomacy blog that highlights Trump's administration's focus on hard power over soft power, as evidenced by budget cuts to the State Department and foreign aid.
Analysis
The assertion that Trump is the first president to reject soft power's value is supported by multiple sources, including Nye himself, who has been a leading voice on the subject. His credibility as a scholar and former government official lends weight to his observations about the decline of soft power during Trump's presidency (Nye, 2025).
However, it is essential to note that while Trump may be the first president to explicitly reject the concept of soft power, previous administrations have also faced criticism for their handling of soft power. For example, the Obama administration was often critiqued for its perceived over-reliance on soft power without sufficient backing from hard power. Thus, while Trump's approach may be more overtly dismissive, it is not entirely unprecedented in the context of U.S. foreign policy.
The Business Times also argues that Trump's administration represents a departure from the traditional bipartisan consensus on the importance of soft power, suggesting that this rejection is a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. However, the framing of this rejection as a complete dismissal may overlook the complexities of how soft power has been utilized by previous administrations, which often balanced soft and hard power strategies.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump is the first president to reject soft power's value in foreign policy is Partially True. While it is accurate that Trump has been notably dismissive of soft power, framing him as the first to reject it entirely overlooks the nuanced history of U.S. foreign policy, where soft power has often been underappreciated or inadequately supported. Thus, while Trump's stance is indeed a significant departure, it is not entirely without precedent.
Sources
- Professor Joe Nye coined the term “soft power.” He says ... Harvard Kennedy School
- PDF "Twitter diplomacy", US foreign policy and American soft power during ... Comillas University Repository
- Foreign Policy - The White House Trump White House Archives
- Does American soft power have a future? - Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times
- Qui est Massad Boulos, ce libanais conseiller de TRUMP JForum
- The future of American soft power Business Times
- American Soft Power in the Age of Trump - USC Center on Public Diplomacy USC Center on Public Diplomacy
- Pourquoi ce chapeau de Melania Trump JForum
