From Rhetoric to Reality: Trump's European Far-Right Alliance
Since Donald Trump's return to the White House in 2025, a seismic shift has occurred in transatlantic politics. What began as rhetorical admiration has evolved into a strategic alliance between the Trump administration and Europe's far-right political movements. This partnership, unprecedented in modern diplomatic history, is reshaping European politics and challenging the foundations of the European Union.
'We saw some of this kind of happening under the surface, but now it's official policy,' says Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation specialist who worked in the Department of Homeland Security under President Joe Biden. 'I cannot think of a time when a US president was willing to just openly state his preferences in foreign elections in this way, at least in modern history,' adds Thomas Carothers, director of the democracy, conflict and governance program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The Patriots for Europe: A Pro-Trump Bloc
The most visible manifestation of this alliance is the Patriots for Europe grouping in the European Parliament. Formed in June 2024, this right-wing to far-right sovereigntist political group has become the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament. It includes Hungary's Fidesz, France's National Rally (RN), Italy's Lega, Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ), Belgium's Vlaams Belang, Czechia's ANO, the Danish People's Party, Spain's VOX, and the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV).
These parties have positioned themselves as a pro-Trump faction, sharing common ground on immigration, Euroscepticism, and opposition to what they term 'woke' culture. The group's formation represents a deliberate strategy to coordinate anti-EU efforts across national boundaries.
Strategic Alignment Across Europe
In Germany, Alternative for Germany (AfD) politicians have become regular guests at conservative events in the US. Party leader Alice Weidel has received multiple invitations from Washington, while Trump's Vice President JD Vance and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have openly sided with the AfD during German election campaigns. 'We can relate to topics such as the fight against immigration and border protection,' says Louis Aliot, vice president of France's National Rally, highlighting the ideological alignment.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has emerged as Trump's closest European ally, visiting Mar-a-Lago three times in 2024 alone. Trump rewarded Orbán with a one-year exemption from sanctions for buying Russian oil and gas, while restoring Hungary's status in a visa waiver scheme. However, Trump's tariffs against the EU have hit Hungary's export-oriented car industry hard, creating economic tensions.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni maintains a pragmatic relationship with Trump, leveraging her personal connection to act as a potential bridge between the US and EU. She was the only European leader to attend Trump's second inauguration in January 2025.
Economic and Security Implications
The economic impact of this alliance is already being felt across Europe. According to CEPR analysis, Trump's proposed 10% baseline tariff on all US imports could reduce EU economic growth by up to 1% over two years. The EU automotive industry faces a potential tariff increase from 2.5% to 25%, making European cars less competitive in the American market.
More concerning to security experts is the strategic dimension. DW analysis reveals that Trump's outreach forms part of a deliberate national security strategy to divide the European Union. The US National Security Strategy document warns of 'civilizational erasure' in Europe due to immigration and accuses the EU of censoring free speech through measures like the Digital Services Act.
Electoral Interventions and Future Prospects
The Trump administration has actively intervened in European elections. Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem endorsed Poland's conservative President Karol Nawrocki before his election victory in June 2025. Trump later congratulated Nawrocki at the White House, saying, 'It was a pretty tough race, pretty nasty race, and he beat them all.'
In France, polls predict National Rally leader Jordan Bardella could become president in 2027, while Marine Le Pen awaits a retrial of her graft conviction. The Czech Republic's returning Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has embraced Trumpist rhetoric with his 'Strong Czech Republic' slogan, a direct reference to MAGA.
According to Carnegie Endowment research, while radical-right parties have achieved notable electoral successes, they currently hold executive power in only five EU member states. The Trump effect remains nuanced, with most Europeans remaining skeptical of Trumpism despite growing far-right support.
A Divided Europe's Future
This transatlantic alliance represents a fundamental challenge to European unity. As European far-right parties increasingly look to Washington rather than Brussels for inspiration and support, the traditional transatlantic relationship built on shared democratic values faces unprecedented strain.
The coming years will test whether this alliance represents a temporary political alignment or a lasting realignment of European politics. What's clear is that Trump's European cheerleaders have moved from rhetorical admiration to strategic alignment, creating new fault lines in European politics that will shape the continent's future for years to come.