Patti Davis, daughter of former President Ronald Reagan, didn’t hold back as she tore into Donald Trump, claiming her father would be “grieving” over how the 45th president has reshaped America’s reputation on the world stage.
Speaking to CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Davis said that under Trump, the U.S. has become “hated” internationally—a stark contrast to the alliances her father built during his presidency. She emphasized that Reagan’s famous “peace through strength” doctrine wasn’t about aggression or bullying, but about fostering strong relationships with global allies.
Trump’s Ukraine Gamble and NATO Backlash
Davis’s comments come amid growing controversy over Trump’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war. The former president recently announced a suspension of military aid to Ukraine, a decision that left NATO allies fuming. Although the Trump administration has now proposed a 30-day ceasefire, the move initially put the U.S. at odds with European partners.
During a tense Oval Office meeting, Trump and Vice President JD Vance openly berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—a moment that, according to critics, underscored a dramatic shift in America’s approach to foreign policy.
Davis wasn’t alone in her criticism. Nebraska Republican Representative Don Bacon echoed concerns, stating that the U.S. is “walking away” from the legacy built by past presidents like Eisenhower and Reagan, who prioritized strong international alliances.
America’s Image Under Trump: ‘Suddenly, We’re Hated’
Davis painted a grim picture of America’s global perception under Trump’s leadership.
“I think my father would be heartbroken. This is beyond politics—this is about America’s relationship with the world,” she told CNN. “The America I grew up in, the one we all knew, stood by its allies. We helped those in need. We didn’t abandon countries suffering under tyranny or invasion. But suddenly, that America is gone. Suddenly, we’re hated.”
She also took aim at Trump’s interpretation of strength, dismissing his aggressive tactics as counterproductive. “Strength isn’t about bullying. It’s about forming alliances,” she said, reinforcing Reagan’s diplomatic approach to global leadership.
What’s Next in Trump’s Foreign Policy Gamble?
As Trump pushes for a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, the world watches closely. Russian officials have stated they won’t commit until President Vladimir Putin is briefed on the U.S.-Ukraine negotiations in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Trump has expressed hope that a deal can be reached, telling reporters, “If we can get Russia to do it, great. If not, people are going to keep dying.”
With tensions high and America’s global role in flux, critics argue that Trump’s leadership is unraveling decades of carefully built alliances. Whether his ceasefire efforts will be seen as a diplomatic win or another misstep remains to be seen.
