Title: Europe‘s Power Players Gearing Up for Influence as Trump Returns to Power
As Donald Trump prepares to reclaim his position in the White House following a few weeks, European leaders are shaping up for a fierce battle to exert the most influence over his administration. With a politically charged agenda that could include punitive tariffs and removal of European security protections on the table, the stakes are high.
Who Will Be Trump’s Biggest ‘Trumpfluencer’ (a playful term combining ‘influencer’ and Trump’s name) will face numerous challenges, not least Trump’s well-documented mercurial nature that has seen even his closest aides fall from favor quickly. To succeed, these leaders may need to demonstrate proximity to Trump’s political agenda and ego, but also the ability to offer him something more that he desires.
Euronews examines the top candidates for Trumpfluencer in Europe:
Despite his troubles at home, including a rebellious parliament and multiple government reshuffles, French President Emmanuel Macron still appears to possess what it takes to be the leading European whisperer in Trump’s ear. He has already scored diplomatic victories, including inviting Trump to the reopening of Notre-Dame and persuading him to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. As the head of the European country with the largest army and a history of diplomatic finesse, Macron has many opportunities to charm and ingratiate himself with the newly re-elected US President.
Georgia Meloni
The Italian right-wing leader will certainly try to position herself as the top Trumpfluencer. "The US-EU relationship goes through Italy," a recent post on Giorgia Meloni‘s Brothers of Italy party’s social media read. She has cultivated good relations with Trump’s surrogates, including Elon Musk and Steve Bannon, although not all reports of their interactions have beenverified (such as a reported AI-generated kiss between Meloni and Musk in Paris).
Victor Orbán
Like Meloni, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will hope that shared political perspectives will make him Trump’s man in Europe. Some in Trump’s orbit are admirers of Orbán’s increasingly authoritarian practices, such as blocking dissent in the media or academic circles. Orbán hosted a conference on conservative political action, where Trump delivered a video message. It’s worth noting that Orbán is a regular visitor to Trump’s Florida home, Mar-a-Lago.
The Contenders: Beyond the Obvious
- Ursula von der Leyen: As head of the European Commission, von der Leyen might seem an unlikely Trump ally. However, her position makes her a crucial point of contact for Trump’s top concern: the US trade deficit with Europe. She is well-positioned to negotiate a deal and has shown a penchant for getting results with Trump before, when she persuaded him to back off from threatened tariffs in exchange for a pledge to buy more US soybeans.
- Mark Rutte: The Dutch former Prime Minister and current head of NATO might be one of Trump’s most challenging and crucial contacts. If Trump aims to reduce or withdraw US support, NATO’s future could hang in the balance. Trump has already established a rapport with Rutte, declaring them "friends" during a 2019 meeting at the White House. Rutte’s pragmatic, deal-making style could make him an ideal conduit for conveying Trump’s message that Europe must step up for its own defense.
As Europe’s leaders vie for influence, one thing is clear: the next few months will be crucial in shaping the future of the transatlantic relationship. The world will be watching to see who emerges as Trump’s top ‘Trumpfluencer’ in Europe.
