How America Is Currently Perceived at Home and Abroad
From the Olympic stage in Milan to global geopolitics and street level perceptions in Rome, the image and international opinion of the United States is at a crossroads.
As the Olympic Games begin to energize crowds in Milan Cortina, Team USA is once again stepping into the spotlight to compete, but this year feels different, heavier. With the division and political unrest the United States is currently facing, American athletes have expressed mixed emotions about representing their country.
At a press conference on February 6, US Olympic freestyle skiers Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess discussed their feelings. “I love the USA, and I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics,” Lillis said. When prompted about current protests and ICE operations, he continued, “I feel heartbroken. I think as a country we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure we’re treating our citizens, and everybody, with love and respect.”
Hess added, “It brings up mixed emotions to represent the US right now. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I support everything that’s going on.”
Donald Trump responded to their statements, calling Hess “a real loser” and saying, “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the team. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
There is pride in representing one’s country on such a global stage, but with division at home and scrutiny abroad, it presents a complicated reality. Wearing USA across your chest carries cultural and political weight that reaches far beyond sport. In an event meant to celebrate unity, it raises a deeper question: what does America represent right now? If even Team USA athletes are questioning what it means to bear the stars and stripes, it reflects a broader crisis surrounding the idea of the American Dream.
Beyond the Olympic arena, the United States has been at the center of global political discourse.
In January, President Trump initiated what he called Operation Absolute Resolve, targeting Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. Maduro was flown to New York to face charges including cocaine trafficking and weapons offenses. He pleaded not guilty and remains in federal custody.
The move was widely criticized for bypassing congressional consultation, raising concerns about executive power. Others praised the action, citing the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Since Maduro’s rise, the country has experienced economic collapse, inflation, food shortages, medical crises, and mass migration, with approximately eight million Venezuelans fleeing since 2014.
On the streets of Rome, opinions vary. Trinidad Nielson, a student from Argentina, said, “Maybe it’s not the right way to do it, but Venezuelan people are happy because they are free from Maduro.” Her friend Josefina Palma agreed, saying many Venezuelans “just want change.”
However, critics question US motives, especially after Trump announced plans for the US to manage Venezuela’s oil sector indefinitely. Legal experts dispute claims that Venezuela “stole American oil,” arguing that under international law, the US has no right to control another country’s natural resources.
Meanwhile, other foreign policy tensions continue to strain America’s global standing. Trump’s repeated remarks about acquiring Greenland, US involvement in the Israel Palestine conflict, expanded military presence in the Middle East, and increased tensions with Iran have all drawn criticism. Since October 7, 2023, the US has provided over 16 billion dollars in military aid to Israel, while Trump’s proposed peace plan has been criticized for failing to address Palestinian sovereignty and refugee rights.
Trade disputes, tariffs, and tensions within NATO further complicate the landscape.
Even at the Olympics, controversy followed reports that ICE agents would assist with security operations. Milan’s mayor openly criticized the presence of US immigration agents, and protests followed.
In Piazza di Spagna, German researcher Bettina Reese commented, “The Trump administration does not represent the constitutional ideals of freedom.” Swiss professor Isleine Sassi added, “It’s scary. It shows what powerful nations can do. We thought treaties would protect weaker nations. Now we see that may not be the case.”
European officials have described a “change in mindset” regarding US allyship, shifting from cooperation to what one Politico source called a “power struggle.”
At home, immigration enforcement policies have fueled further division. Trump’s mass detention policies have led to mandatory detention without bond hearings. Reports show that a small percentage of those detained had violent criminal records, contradicting official rhetoric. Concerns have grown over alleged civil rights violations and wrongful arrests, including cases involving US citizens.
Reports of enforcement actions, including Operation Metro Surge, have sparked protests and investigations in cities such as Chicago and Boston. Critics argue constitutional protections are being undermined.
The release of heavily redacted Epstein files has added to public unease. Millions of pages detail allegations of abuse involving prominent figures across politics and business. While investigations continue, the revelations have deepened distrust in institutions.
On Rome’s streets, perceptions of America reflect a mix of concern and sympathy.
“I feel pity for the people there,” Sassi said.
Gennaro Ricciardi from Naples distinguished between government and citizens, saying, “It’s not against the Americans. We share values and culture. But we are disappointed.”
Others were more critical. Matteo Avantaggiato, an Italian university student, said, “The United States is not free at all. You are enslaved to a capitalistic society.”
When asked whether America is still “the land of the free,” responses were hesitant. “Maybe less than before,” one interviewee said. Yet others remain hopeful, describing Americans as resilient and capable of recovery.
These voices reveal a broader shift in how the United States is perceived. Once seen as a beacon of freedom and opportunity, America is now often viewed as divided and unpredictable. Admiration for its people often remains, but confidence in its leadership and institutions has weakened.
Whether this moment proves temporary or transformative remains uncertain. What is clear is that this period marks a turning point in how the world sees America, and how Americans see themselves.
