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Americans Signal Deep Skepticism Toward New Foreign Entanglements and Arctic Ambitions

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SouthFloridaReporter.com
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President Donald Trump speaks during a tour of the Ford River Rogue complex, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Dearborn, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON — A wave of new polling released today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, reveals a nation deeply wary of President Donald Trump’s increasingly assertive foreign policy and domestic economic claims. As the administration floats the possibility of military force to secure territory in Greenland and considers intervention in Iran’s internal instability, the American public has signaled a firm “thumbs down” to new military entanglements. Meanwhile, in the critical battleground state of Michigan, a “meh” economic outlook is creating a complicated backdrop for the president’s “America First” agenda.

The Greenland Gambit: Low Support for Annexation

One of the most striking findings from today’s data comes from a Reuters/Ipsos poll, which shows that just 17% of Americans approve of the administration’s efforts to acquire Greenland. Despite the president’s recent social media posts labeling anything less than U.S. control as “unacceptable,” the public remains largely unconvinced of the strategic necessity of purchasing—or seizing—the island.

The opposition to using military force for such a purpose is nearly universal. According to the poll, 71% of Americans believe using military force to take possession of Greenland from Denmark is a “bad idea.” This sentiment crosses party lines, though with varying intensity: 90% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans oppose a military takeover.

Furthermore, the poll found that 66% of respondents are worried that the pursuit of Greenland will cause irreparable damage to the NATO alliance and relationships with European allies. This comes as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet with Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers at the White House today—a meeting held under the shadow of the president’s “all options on the table” rhetoric.

Faith Based Events

Iran: A Vigorous “Thumbs Down” to Intervention

The appetite for military action is even lower regarding the Middle East. A Quinnipiac University national poll released this morning shows that 70% of voters oppose U.S. military action against Iran in response to the killing of protesters and internal chaos within the Islamic Republic.

The resistance is particularly strong among unaffiliated voters (80%) and Democrats (79%), but even a majority of Republicans (53%) now signal they are against intervention. Perhaps more significantly, 70% of all voters believe the president should be required to seek Congressional approval before taking military action against another nation, suggesting a growing desire for checks on executive power as international tensions rise.

“Talk of the U.S. military potentially intervening in Iran’s internal chaos gets a vigorous thumbs down,” said Tim Malloy, a polling analyst at Quinnipiac. He noted that voters appear to be signaling for a “backstop” against foreign crises.

Michigan: The “Meh” Economic Reality

While the White House focuses on global maneuvers, the domestic front remains a primary concern for voters in the Midwest. President Trump visited Detroit yesterday, telling the Detroit Economic Club that “inflation is defeated” and a “Trump economic boom” is underway. However, new polling from The Glengariff Group (commissioned by WDIV/Detroit News) and Baker Consulting Group paints a much more nuanced picture of Michigan’s “muddle-through” economy.

The Baker survey found that Michigan residents are stuck in a “so-so rollercoaster,” with neither optimism nor pessimism topping 50%. A full quarter of respondents described their view of the state’s economy as “neutral.” While the president boasted of low grocery prices, the poll showed that 82.5% of Michigan voters still cite food and grocery costs as their primary economic pain point.

In a direct contradiction to the administration’s “Michigan Miracle” narrative, the state continues to fall in national wage rankings. University of Michigan economist Gabriel Ehrlich noted that over the last 35 years, Michigan has shifted from wages that were 10% above the national average to 4% below it. While the president’s tariffs have provided some protection for the auto industry, many business leaders in the state say they are “scared to act” due to policy uncertainty and “tariff flip-flops.”

National Economic Sentiment: A Partisan Divide

On a national scale, the Economist/YouGov poll released today shows that economic sentiment is becoming increasingly bifurcated along party lines. Republican optimism has surged, with 57% of Republicans now saying the economy is “getting better,” up from 38% in October. In contrast, only 3% of Democrats and 15% of Independents share that positive view.

Overall, the national mood remains somber. A Gallup report highlights that majorities of Americans expect 2026 to be a “troubled year” characterized by international discord (73%) and political conflict (89%). Only the stock market provides a glimmer of majority optimism, with 55% believing it will continue to rise.

Summary of Key Poll Findings (January 14, 2026)

Issue Key Finding Source
Greenland Only 17% approve of acquisition efforts; 71% oppose military force. Reuters/Ipsos
Iran 70% of voters oppose military involvement in Iran’s internal chaos. Quinnipiac
Michigan Economy 82.5% of voters say grocery costs are their top concern; outlook is “meh.” WDIV/Glengariff
National Economy 50% say the economy is “getting worse”; 25% say “getting better.” Economist/YouGov
2026 Outlook 89% of Americans expect a year of political conflict. Gallup

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, these polls suggest a significant disconnect between the president’s high-stakes geopolitical ambitions and the “kitchen table” concerns of the American electorate. While the administration views Greenland and Iran through the lens of national security and “Golden Dome” defense systems, the public appears more focused on the cost of the grocery bag and the risk of another “overseas quagmire.”

With the “presidency going rogue,” as some historians suggest, the coming months will test whether the administration’s “ferocity” will rally the base or further alienate a public that is increasingly signaling a desire for a “less active” role in global disputes.

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