Overview: Americans across ages and political backgrounds are divided over President Trump’s renewed push for influence in Greenland and a U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro. Responses range from praise for projecting U.S. strength to deep concern over damaged alliances, neglected domestic priorities, and dangerous precedents. Many fear these moves prioritize geopolitical control and resources over everyday American needs.
‘Embarrassed’ to ‘A Force To Be Reckoned With’: Americans React to Trump’s Greenland Push and Venezuela Operation
Trump’s ‘America First’ approach has been undercut by the capture of Maduro and threats to capture Greenland.Composite: Reuters, AFP via Getty Images(Composite: Reuters, AFP via Getty Images)
As President Donald Trump renews calls for greater U.S. control over Greenland and following a U.S. operation that captured Venezuela’s deposed leader Nicolás Maduro, we asked Americans across ages and political backgrounds how they feel about the administration’s recent foreign interventions and rhetoric. Their responses range from pride in a show of strength to deep concern about damaged alliances, domestic priorities being ignored, and dangerous precedents.
Voices From Around the Country
Simon, 20, college student, Indiana
“I feel like I’ve been fooled into voting not for an American-first policy, but an expansionist policy. I voted for grocery prices and gas prices to be lowered... But since none of those costs have been lowered and prices remain largely the same, I feel like I voted for someone who goes around and bullies allies like Denmark with Greenland, and that really annoys me.
“With Venezuela, Donald Trump captured a dictator [Nicolás Maduro]. I don’t necessarily know how that’s going to improve my life. All these foreign ventures just don’t really seem beneficial to the average American citizen and I think that should be the job of the U.S. president – to improve the lives of their citizens.”
Simon warns that the Venezuela operation could set a dangerous precedent that emboldens further expansionist moves.
Carol, 78, social worker, New Mexico
“Why can’t we just be a nation among nations? I feel so bad about Europe – all the goodwill and friendship that has been there for decades is being destroyed. The situation with Greenland is terrifying and I feel it is a real threat from Trump – it is not just him being boisterous.”
Carol, a long-time Democrat active in civic efforts, says following the news is draining but civic participation is essential.
Eric, 22, restaurant manager, California
“I thought it was great. It was good to see we can actually do a military operation if something were to come to head. Venezuela is in our sphere of influence, and when they cosy up to our geopolitical adversaries, that is a threat to us. The way the operation was executed shows that the USA is a force to be reckoned with.”
John*, early 60s, IT worker, Florida (Trump supporter)
John says the Venezuela action was aimed at signaling strength to rivals like Russia and China. He stresses Greenland should retain autonomy but says negotiated U.S. oversight could be preferable to foreign influence.
Seth, 36, e-commerce worker, Ohio
“He’s testing limits, poking and prodding the American people to see if we care about our democracy.” Seth says he voted for Trump in 2016 but now describes himself as a staunch socialist. He worries foreign ventures could be used for political advantage and points to natural resources—oil and minerals in Venezuela, rare earths in Greenland—as possible motives.
Marie*, 58, librarian, Tennessee
“We’ve seen he does whatever he wants, and nobody holds him accountable… None of this helps the American people who are struggling to pay for housing, healthcare and groceries. Fix your own house before looking at others.”
Marie warns that damaged trust and alliances could have long-term economic consequences.
Ocean, 18, non-binary student, California
“How do we have the money to take over Greenland when there are people living on the streets? People need housing, healthcare, food. That should be the priority.” Ocean says foreign interventions feel cruel when domestic crises remain unresolved and that the possibility of young people being deployed is deeply unsettling.
Marie Thompson*, 76, retired teacher, Utah
“Nicolás Maduro needed to go, but not like this. U.S. imperialism could be the beginning of a dangerous road that leads to world war three. Trump governs through intimidation, bullying and fear.”
What Ties These Views Together?
Interviewees express a clear split: some celebrate the Maduro operation as proof of American strength and deterrence, while many more voice alarm at the diplomatic, ethical and domestic costs of expansionist rhetoric. Concerns include damage to alliances, diversion of resources from urgent domestic needs, potential economic fallout, and the risk that interventions serve political or resource-driven motives.
*Names have been changed
Help us improve.
