Overview
- In a Politico interview published December 9, President Trump warned Europe is being "destroyed" by current migration policies and urged deportations of those who entered illegally.
- He labeled European leaders "weak," criticized Germany and Sweden, and blamed Angela Merkel for "two big mistakes" on migration and energy while attacking London mayor Sadiq Khan and lamenting changes in Paris and London.
- He praised Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Poland for restrictive approaches, saying Orbán "lets nobody in," and contrasted them with what he described as the decline of most European states.
- He said he has backed foreign politicians including Orbán and Argentina’s Javier Milei and left open supporting preferred figures in Europe; Tagesspiegel reported Orbán sought a US-backed financial shield of up to $20 billion, which Trump said he has not promised.
- His remarks align with a new US national security strategy that harshly criticizes Europe and calls for strengthening internal resistance; the Kremlin welcomed the strategy, and Trump responded that he wants a strong Europe.