This Is America: International Observers Draw Authoritarian Comparisons as US Image Plummets
Viral posts comparing American law enforcement to authoritarian regimes have gathered millions of views as Pew data shows US favorability declining in 19 of 24 countries. Europeans debate whether the transatlantic alliance can survive.
International observers are drawing stark comparisons between scenes from American law enforcement operations and imagery associated with authoritarian regimes, as polling data shows US favorability plummeting across European allies.
A viral social media post viewed millions of times encapsulated the sentiment gripping many outside observers. Showing footage from a recent ICE enforcement operation, the author wrote: "This is not Iran. This is not Russia. This is not North Korea. This is America." The post accumulated over 18,000 likes and 8,000 shares within hours.
The comparison drew thousands of responses. Some compared the scenes to ISIS tactics. Others pointed to similar imagery from their own countries during periods of authoritarianism. A Scandinavian commentator noted: "USA come on," while another wrote simply: "It is now."
A Measurable Decline
The visceral reactions on social media reflect a documented shift in global attitudes. According to Pew Research Center's June 2025 survey, US favorability declined in 19 of 24 countries surveyed. A median of 62 percent across those nations expressed no confidence in President Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.
The declines in Europe have been particularly steep. YouGov EuroTrack data from February 2025 showed US favorability falling 20 points in Sweden and Germany, 26 points in France, and 28 points in Denmark since August 2024. The figures prompted one European commentator to write what many appear to be thinking: "Hard as it is to accept it, we in Europe must come to terms with the fact that this is precisely the kind of country a significant percentage of the US population wants to have. Europe cannot be the ally or the partner of this."
The post, which gathered over 37,000 engagements, sparked fierce debate. The top reply, from a Flemish politician with over 100,000 followers, took a contrarian view: "Actually we urgently need ICE on steroids in Europe if we want our civilisation to survive." Others pushed back. "I don't really care about America but I hope people in Europe now understand why we should never fall to the far right," wrote one respondent. "This isn't democracy it's fascism in disguise."
The Authoritarian Question
The polling data suggests many Europeans have made up their minds. According to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, a plurality of Europeans (43 percent) believe Trump has authoritarian tendencies, while 39 percent consider him an outright dictator. Only 13 percent contend that he respects democratic principles.
Perhaps more striking: 73 percent of Europeans view Trump as a threat to peace and security in Europe, just 9 percentage points behind Vladimir Putin.
This comes as celebrity protests against ICE enforcement continue to spread across the United States, with stars like Ariana Grande and Pedro Pascal speaking out. The images of enforcement operations have become a flashpoint in the transatlantic values debate.
The European Response
For some Europeans, the contrast has reinforced appreciation for their own institutions. One post declaring the EU "a paradise" despite its flaws gathered over 19,000 engagements. "Proud to be European. Proud to be in the European Union," wrote the author, as the attached image showed the EU flag.
The sentiment drew responses from across the continent. An American expressed envy: "The EU could offer long stay visas to US citizens with enough money and skills to be an asset to European society. I'm ready to go." A Canadian asked: "Can Canada join in? That would be great." A German wrote: "I was never extremely proud or extremely happy here in Germany. Now I am."
The Spring 2025 Eurobarometer recorded the highest-ever support (81 percent) for a common EU defence and security policy. Ninety percent of European citizens said member states should be more united to face global challenges.
The Reliability Question
The scenes unfolding in America raise a fundamental question for European policymakers: Can the United States still be considered a reliable partner?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to India this week underscored the bloc's push for strategic partnerships beyond Washington. At the same time, Iceland is moving toward an EU membership referendum, joining a queue of ten other countries seeking accession.
As one commentator noted in the replies: "The ultra far right side of US reminds us all the time they don't like the way the EU is going. Then that tells me we are going in the right direction. When the Russians say the same and threaten even more, we must be doing much better than two superpowers."
The transatlantic relationship has weathered storms before. Whether it can weather this one remains an open question. What the polling and social media reaction make clear is that many Europeans have already reached their own conclusions.
January 26, 2026