New York, NY – Veteran journalist Dan Rather has sparked debate with a scathing assessment of the United States’ global image, stating on April 18, 2025, “I cannot remember a time when the world saw the United States this unsteady, adrift, corrupt, or incompetent.” The quote, amplified by Call to Activism on April 19, reflects growing concerns over President Donald Trump’s leadership amid a series of domestic and international challenges.
Rather, a former CBS Evening News anchor with over six decades in journalism, made the comment on X, pointing to Trump’s tariff war and immigration policies as evidence of “chaos, not leadership.” His words coincide with significant developments: on April 18, the Supreme Court blocked Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members, a ruling the ACLU praised but Trump allies decried as overreach. Simultaneously, The Wall Street Journal criticized Trump’s tariffs, warning of a 45% recession risk as consumer confidence hits a four-year low. Internationally, the IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva noted U.S.-led trade tensions are stunting global growth, with allies like Canada retaliating with tariffs on U.S. goods.
Rather’s critique also captures broader unrest. Trump’s administration faces scrutiny over actions like CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz’s “war room” targeting healthcare fraud, seen by some as a distraction, and the sentencing of a former NYPD sergeant for spying for China, raising security concerns. Trump’s appeal of E. Jean Carroll’s $83.3 million defamation verdict further fuels perceptions of governance in disarray. A 2025 Pew Research poll underscores Rather’s point, showing only 38% of allied nations view the U.S. favorably, down from 61% in 2020.
On X, reactions are divided. Supporters like
@RpsAgainstTrump echoed Rather, stating, “The world is laughing at us under Trump,” while critics like
@TrumpDailyPosts dismissed him as a “washed-up journalist” with a “leftist agenda.” Rather, who has criticized Trump since 2016, often focuses on governance and global perception, as seen in his 2024 book What Unites Us, where he warned of declining American credibility.
Rather’s words, though sharp, reflect a broader anxiety about America’s direction under Trump. As legal battles, economic uncertainty, and international tensions mount, his critique resonates with those questioning the nation’s stability on the world stage.
