Trump’s Apology Tour

Within the first 100 days of his presidency, Barack Obama set out on a whirlwind public relations campaign in which he promoted the notion that the only thing wrong with America was all the presidents who preceded him.

“America has acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others,” he confessed in an address to the United Nations General Assembly. American hubris “fed an almost reflexive anti-Americanism” among our nation’s partners abroad. But who could blame them?

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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Within the first 100 days of his presidency, Barack Obama set out on a whirlwind public relations campaign in which he promoted the notion that the only thing wrong with America was all the presidents who preceded him.

“America has acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others,” he confessed in an address to the United Nations General Assembly. American hubris “fed an almost reflexive anti-Americanism” among our nation’s partners abroad. But who could blame them?

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.