Trump preparing to enter his inauguration at the Capitol in Washington. — ©2025 The New York Times Company
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has positioned himself as a global figurehead for hard-line conservative populism.
His rhetoric and policies have fuelled nationalist movements in the European Union and beyond, inspiring political factions often defined by anti-immigration stances, advocacy for “traditional” values and hostility towards climate regulations.
Many of these groups critique establishment politicians and media, and some have been accused of undermining democratic institutions, such as courts and independent news outlets.
This spectrum includes Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), Italy’s Brothers of Italy, France’s National Rally and Austria’s Freedom Party. Although these parties share ideological threads, they diverge in significant ways – and in some cases, from Trump himself.
Trump’s extreme rhetoric often surpasses that of European counterparts, particularly with his openly inflammatory comments about immigrants and political rivals.
His calls to deport millions of undocumented immigrants resonate with some nationalist factions but remain a step further than many in Europe are willing to go.
Divisions over Ukraine
Trump has repeatedly vowed to end the war in Ukraine without clarifying his approach. Meanwhile, right-wing European parties are split on supporting Ukraine, often depending on their relationships with Russia.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy stands firmly with Ukraine, aligning with most EU allies. She insists it would be a “mistake” to abandon Ukraine.
Conversely, Hungary’s Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, opposes military aid to Ukraine and blames European sanctions on Russia for Hungary’s high inflation and economic struggles.
Orban, who has met with President Vladimir Putin twice since the invasion began, portrays himself as a peace advocate, criticising Nato and the EU.
This stance has fractured Orban’s previous alliance with Poland’s right-wing Law and Justice party.
Nonetheless, figures like Herbert Kickl of Austria’s Freedom Party and Alice Weidel of the AfD maintain ties with Moscow, criticising European involvement in Ukraine.
France’s National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, condemned Russia’s invasion but opposed providing Ukraine with offensive weapons. While the party supports defensive aid, it has rejected Ukraine’s potential EU and Nato memberships.
Softening the message
Some European far-right leaders have moderated their tone to broaden appeal, mimicking Meloni’s strategy.
Once known for fiery rhetoric against migrants, Meloni has tempered her language since becoming Italy’s prime minister.
While Trump recently warned of an immigrant “invasion”, Meloni avoids such terminology, though she continues polarising attacks on the left, journalists, and trade unions.
France’s National Rally has sought to distance itself from its founder Jean-Marie Le Pen’s racist and antisemitic remarks. His daughter Marine Le Pen shifted the party’s focus to economic issues while maintaining hard-line stances on French identity and immigration.
The AfD in Germany has also attempted to rebrand itself.
Alice Weidel, a lesbian economist living in Switzerland with her Sri Lankan partner and children, fronts the party’s campaign while describing it as a “conservative libertarian party”.
Despite efforts to sanitise its image, parts of the AfD have been classified as extremist by the German government.
Some factions remain unabashedly provocative.
Austria’s Freedom Party, led by Kickl, embraces nationalist rhetoric reminiscent of Nazi slogans. Its campaign branding him as a “Volkskanzler” (“people’s chancellor”) echoes terminology associated with Adolf Hitler.
Nuances on immigration
Trump’s promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants starkly contrasts with more nuanced European positions.
The AfD advocates deporting migrants involved in criminal activity but accepts those who assimilate culturally. Hungary’s Fidesz party portrays migrants as threats to public health and national security.
Meloni acknowledges Italy’s need for legal migration while opposing illegal entries. Her administration introduced a contentious plan to process asylum claims in Albania and supports redistributing asylum-seekers across the EU.
In France, the National Rally proposes drastic immigration reductions, elimination of birthright citizenship and prioritising native French citizens for social benefits.
Le Pen argues that this approach is essential to protect French identity and free up resources for public services.
Competing blueprint
While some European populists have gravitated towards Meloni’s strategy of moderation, Trump presents an unapologetic and combative model.
Political scientist Nathalie Tocci suggests that even pragmatic leaders like Meloni may find themselves tempted by Trump’s approach.
“The barriers are coming down,” Tocci observed, hinting at a potential shift towards more aggressive political postures.
Whether Europe’s far-right parties continue softening their rhetoric or adopt a bolder, Trump-like stance remains uncertain.
As nationalist movements evolve, they continue reshaping political landscapes across the continent, with implications that stretch far beyond Europe’s borders. — ©2025 The New York Times Company
