President Donald Trump delivered one of his bluntest assessments yet of America’s European allies, describing the continent as a “decaying” bloc run by leaders who are “destroying their countries.”
The comments came during a new interview with Politico’s Dasha Burns, in which the president expanded on themes from his National Security Strategy while keeping his characteristic mix of criticism and personal cordiality toward foreign heads of state.
Trump insisted that he “liked” the current set of European leaders and maintained he was “friendly” with them. But he argued they had fundamentally failed on the central issue he believes is undermining the region: mass migration. In contrast, he praised right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Poland for enforcing strict border policies. Hungary, he said, has “a different kind of a country,” noting its landlocked geography and longstanding energy pipeline from Russia. But what Orbán “really gotten right,” Trump said, was immigration, because “he allows nobody in his country.” Poland, he added, has also done “a very good job.”
Most European nations, however, are “decaying,” Trump said. When Burns pressed him on whether his posture might unsettle European leaders, the president dismissed the idea. “No, they should be freaked out by what they’re doing to their countries. They’re destroying their countries,” he said.
Burns referenced comments from European Council President António Costa, who responded to Trump’s National Security Strategy by demanding that Washington respect Europe’s “sovereignty” and warning that allies do not “threaten to interfere in the democratic life” of partners. Trump cut her off, stressing again that he personally liked Europe’s leaders but believed they were approaching a point of no return. “It gets to a point where you can’t really correct it,” he said, adding that the point was “very close.”
Asked what that would mean, Trump warned that European nations would no longer remain strong. Burns questioned whether this meant allies might break away. Trump replied that it “depends,” but argued the influx of migrants with “a totally different ideology” would inevitably change the continent. “It’s gonna make them much weaker,” he said.
Trump also singled out London Mayor Sadiq Khan as “a disaster,” saying Khan holds “a totally different ideology of what he’s supposed to have” yet continues winning elections. The president lamented what he sees as the decline of iconic Western capitals: “I hate what’s happened to London, and I hate what’s happened to Paris.”
Burns suggested that Trump’s harsh language made it “hard to tell” whether he was trying to send “tough love” to encourage reform or simply viewed European leaders as weak. Trump answered plainly: “I think they’re weak,” and said Europe’s obsession with political correctness had left leaders paralyzed. “Europe doesn’t know what to do,” he said, adding that the continent was also on shaky ground in its trade affairs.
The exchange occurred as Europe struggles to revive negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump offered no reassurance, calling Russia “obviously” stronger and dismissing Europe’s contribution to the diplomatic effort: “They talk, but they don’t produce.”
When Burns suggested he appeared to want sweeping changes in Europe, Trump answered that leaders “should get the people out that came into the country illegally.”
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