With Bush and Obama's tenure as the President of the USA, i will say that the USA is no longer the leader of free world, They go around acting as Kingmakers, dethroning and enthroning governments, why dont they go to Saudi Arabia.
Wrong! America has always been the leader of the democratic world. Trump is of course somewhat undermines the credibility of the United States, but that does not mean that the principles of American society will become less attractive for the whole world.
No they have never been and will never be.
Long ago, they were an example. Not leaders because at that time they hadn't started destroying everything yet so they were occupied enough with themselves. But long ago America was a source of inspiration. They were the first ones to accomplish such a gigantic revolution. They wrote a constitution that inspired France and led to the most changing times in Europe.
But that was long ago. Now American culture is the one of deprivation, consumerism and war.
They're leading yeah, but not as an example, as dictators crushing anyone disagreeing paying their monstrous tax.