Political scientist Joseph Nye's theory about America's "soft power" has been celebrated since he introduced it at Harvard in 1990. This concept was championed by President Bill Clinton and later by President George W. Bush, who believed soft power was essential to U.S. global influence. However, since Obama was succeeded by Donald Trump, with his belief that the rest of the world takes advantage of America, soft power has been equated with weakness and appeasement. This has led to a decrease in public esteem, with polls showing America's popularity falling globally. The impact on America's reputation has also been felt by allies like the UK and several nations who now see China as a more reliable, trustworthy superpower.