A Shift in American Diplomacy: Trump’s Embrace of Authoritarianism

President Trump's recent commendation of Turkish President Erdoğan stands in stark contrast to Biden's prior stance against authoritarianism, signaling a significant shift in U.S. diplomatic policy.

When President Biden hosted democracy summits at the White House in 2021 and 2023, he notably excluded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, labeling him an “autocrat” deserving of political ousting. However, mere weeks into his presidency, President Trump offered a markedly different view of Erdoğan during a meeting with U.S. ambassadors, labeling him “a good leader” despite ongoing protests in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, a key political challenger to Erdoğan.

This new approach by Trump marks a radical shift from long-standing bipartisan efforts aimed at promoting democratic institutions internationally. The current administration appears to be favoring and praising—rather than condemning—non-democratic leaders. This trend is evident through Trump's behavior, including retaliating against rivals, questioning judicial authority, and targeting journalists. Such actions are now becoming templates for leaders in countries like Serbia and Israel, who are increasingly leaning towards autocratic governance.

As a result, the U.S. diplomatic strategy is evolving into one that signals a willingness to overlook democratic backsliding in favor of forging closer relationships with authoritarian figures. Trump's rhetoric may very well reshape international norms concerning governance and democracy, leading to a landscape where authoritarianism is more readily accepted on the world stage.