During a briefing following a US military operation in Venezuela held on a recent Saturday, President Donald Trump employed the term “Donroe Doctrine” to describe his administration’s intent to maintain rigid control over the Western Hemisphere. The phrase, which mirrors the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine in name and purpose, was credited by Trump to others rather than being presented as his own coinage. Nonetheless, investigations into the origins of this terminology trace its emergence largely to right-leaning media, especially the New York Post.
The New York Post, recognized as one of Trump’s favored newspapers, prominently introduced the term “Donroe Doctrine” on its cover page dated January 8, 2025. At that time, the media spotlight was focused on Trump’s ambitions surrounding the geopolitical significance of Greenland. The headline's alliterative construction contributed to its gradual infiltration into political and international discourse during the subsequent months.
This phrase saw renewed usage just a day prior to the Venezuelan military action when it was cited on the morning program “Fox & Friends,” a show well known for its Trump-friendly orientation. Fox News correspondent Griff Jenkins referenced it explicitly, contextualizing the “Donroe Doctrine” as a modern extension of the Monroe Doctrine, framing it as an American assertion of dominance across the western hemisphere.
The historical Monroe Doctrine, a fundamental United States foreign policy principle established in 1823, cautioned European powers against interference in the affairs of nations within the Americas, effectively marking the region as a US sphere of influence. Trump, invoking the original doctrine during his press conference, emphasized that the contemporary policy went far beyond its 19th-century predecessor, proclaiming, “The Monroe Doctrine is a big deal, but we’ve superseded it by a lot, by a real lot.” Shortly thereafter, he introduced the moniker “Donroe Doctrine” for the policy.
The public’s curiosity regarding the origin of the phrase prompted many listeners to locate the New York Post cover from early the previous year. That front page didn’t merely showcase the phrase but also emphasized Trump’s proposals to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and suggested transforming Canada into the 51st state. The associated article, authored by Caitlin Doornbos, quoted an anonymous source who indicated that Trump was outlining the foundational concepts of what was then being referred to as the “Trump Doctrine.”
Initially, the term “Donroe Doctrine” did not gain widespread traction, receiving modest attention in media channels. However, over the course of the following autumn, the phrase increased in visibility and usage, being referenced in prominent publications such as the Financial Times and the New York Times, as well as repeatedly on Fox News broadcasts.
David Sanger, the chief Washington correspondent for the New York Times, elaborated on this emerging doctrine during an interview on CNN’s program “Inside Politics.” He described the doctrine’s implications as asserting an American right to intervene in countries within the region whenever internal conflicts there are perceived to pose a threat to US interests. Sanger characterized this broad mandate as a significant expansion of traditional US regional policy.
President Trump reiterated his use of the term on Sunday evening while aboard Air Force One, explaining to reporters that the Venezuelan operation was distinct from prior US involvements in Iraq and Afghanistan due to its geographic proximity, which, he asserted, justified action under the “Donroe Doctrine.”
The New York Post declined to comment on the specific originator of the headline. Internally, its editor in chief Keith Poole maintains that all headlines reflect a collective effort rather than the work of a single person. The relationship between Trump and the Post has been multifaceted over decades, encompassing roles as a source, subject, admirer, and critic. Notably, the president spoke directly with Post reporters on both Saturday and Sunday concerning developments related to the Venezuela intervention and future policy direction.
During his Sunday remarks, Trump stated that the US should assume governance over Venezuela with an emphasis on law and order, and capitalize economically on the country's resources, including its significant oil reserves. This economic perspective outlines a tangible interest underpinning the military and political approach signified by the “Donroe Doctrine.”
While the articulation of the “Donroe Doctrine” has become a focal point of discussion around US Hemispheric policy under President Trump, the phrase’s origin in partisan media underscores the role of right-wing outlets in shaping political language and framing strategic narratives. Its growing adoption by both political figures and mainstream media outlets signals a shift toward a more interventionist and economically motivated posture in regional diplomacy, though the full policy implications and international responses remain subjects for ongoing observation.