With the rise of the United States as a superpower in the 20th century, and the United States having the world's largest economy into the 21st century, the president is typically viewed as a global leader, and at times the world's most powerful political figure. The position of the United States as the leading member of NATO, and the country's strong relationships with other wealthy or democratic nations like those comprising the European Union, have led to the moniker that the president is the "leader of the free world".
WITh the RISe of The united states aS a suPErpOWeR iN the 20th cenTurY, and the uNited sTatES HAvIng thE wORld'S larGeST econoMy INto the 21sT century, thE presiDent IS tYPically vIeweD as a glOBal LEADEr, AnD At tImEs THe world'S most POwErfUl political FIgure. thE posItion of the uNIteD staTes as the LEadinG member of naTo, anD the coUntrY'S Strong RelatiOnsHips with otHer WealtHy or deMoCratic nATIonS like thosE cOMPrisIng THE euroPEan unIoN, Have lEd to tHe moNIkEr that the president iS tHe "lEaDer Of tHe fRee woRLd".