America is respected again. Apparently, nobody told the rest of the world.

Donald Trump repeatedly assures whoever is listening that America is once again respected around the world.

Really?

Perhaps somebody should tell the rest of the world. We seem to have missed the memo.

Because if there is one thing that could put the finishing touches on America’s international reputation, it would be another presidential tantrum over an election that doesn’t go his way.

Should Republicans suffer a significant defeat in the midterms, we can expect the familiar performance. Claims of rigged voting, stolen victories, corrupt officials and some grand conspiracy involving anyone who refuses to tell him what he wants to hear.

We’ve seen this movie before. Unfortunately, the sequel appears to have an even bigger budget and an even smaller plot.

This President of the United States has demonstrated proficiency in two things: throwing presidential-sized tantrums and conducting social media meltdowns. The former might once have been confined to the Oval Office. The latter is now available to the entire planet, often before breakfast.

And this is the man who wants the world to believe America has regained its standing. Give me a break.

There was a time when the United States could reasonably expect its international influence to rest on diplomacy, leadership, economic strength and the (supposed) credibility of its institutions.

Now the world is expected to sit through another episode of The Donald Trump Show, complete with accusations, insults, grievances and the occasional demand that reality apologise for contradicting him.

It is exhausting.

The problem isn’t simply that Trump dislikes losing. Most politicians dislike losing. The problem is the apparent inability to accept that losing is within the rules of the game.

Elections are not personal property. Votes are not compliments. And the American electorate does not exist to provide one man with an endless supply of applause.

If the Republicans lose the midterms, the appropriate response from their President would be to acknowledge the result, respect the voters and get on with governing.

Imagine that. A president behaving like a president.

Instead, we will be treated to another round of allegations that the system is rigged, that somebody cheated and that the only legitimate election result is one in which Donald Trump gets what he wants.

Perhaps he should consider that the rest of the world has its own elections, its own governments and its own understanding of democracy. We don’t particularly need a lecture from Washington about democratic values while watching the President throw his toys out of the cot.

America deserves better than this. So does the rest of the world.

And if Trump really wants America to be respected again, perhaps he could start by demonstrating a little respect for the democratic institutions that put him in the White House in the first place.

Because the world isn’t watching a demonstration of American greatness.

It’s watching a creepy, spoilt toddler having a very public dummy spit.

And frankly, we’re sick of him.