Trump’s unfulfilled threat may affect his and the US’s credibility in international affairs.
Interestingly, the American domestic and international audiences may view the threats and lack of follow-up differently.

Internationally, the reliability of leaders is generally diminished when they issue threats and do not back them up.
This may lead other international actors to question the seriousness of Trump’s words.

For instance, he said last week that he might stop aid to Jordan and Egypt:
1. if they fail to take in Gazan refugees under his proposal to relocate Gazans
2. and then rebuild the coastal strip under US control.

What conclusions are being drawn in Cairo and Amman, however, from the ultimatum he issued on the hostages that simply came and went?

Moreover, issuing threats without follow-up may embolden Hamas and others in the region – such as the Iranians – who might see this lack of follow-through as a lack of determination and act accordingly.