Politics · Other · 11 hrs ago
Europe’s far right distances itself from Trump after Republican losses
European far-right leaders are distancing themselves from Donald Trump after Democrats won the US midterm elections.
Many had welcomed his nationalist policies and ties, but now face a risk that association with him could hurt them at home.
France’s Jordan Bardella blamed US intervention in Iran for consequences for economies, while Germany’s Alice Weidel said Trump broke a promise not to pursue an interventionist foreign policy.
Italy’s Matteo Salvini pointed to wars, international tensions and rising living costs, while Roberto Vannacci said Trump had failed to meet voters’ expectations.
The election has highlighted the political cost of broken promises and economic strain, including higher prices that affect households.
Opposition parties such as France’s National Rally hope to turn anger over living costs into support, while leaders in power, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, face pressure over inflation and fuel costs.
European far-right politicians have distanced themselves from Donald Trump after Republicans lost the US midterm elections.
Several leaders blamed the Iran war, international tensions or cost-of-living pressures for the result, while avoiding direct attacks on Trump.
Analyst Mujtaba Rahman said the leaders hoped to benefit from Trumpism’s ideological momentum without being associated with the disruption of Trump’s presidency.
The result also highlighted a political risk for European incumbents: voters angered by rising prices may turn against those in power.
- Who
- European far-right politicians, including Jordan Bardella, Alice Weidel, Matteo Salvini and Roberto Vannacci.
- What
- They distanced themselves from Trump after Republicans lost the US midterm elections.
- When
- Nov 4 and 5, 2026.
- Where
- The United States and European countries including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
- Why
- The politicians cited the Iran war, international tensions and cost-of-living pressures, and sought to avoid the political costs of association with Trump.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Democrats won the US midterm elections, prompting European far-right politicians to distance themselves from Trump.
Jordan Bardella and Alice Weidel blamed US intervention in Iran or Trump’s broken foreign-policy promise for the Republicans’ defeat.
European far-right politicians continued to distance themselves from the White House, while avoiding direct personal attacks on Trump.
- Election result
- Democrats won the US midterm elections
- France
- Jordan Bardella leads the National Rally
- Germany
- Alice Weidel is a co-leader of Alternative for Germany
- Italy
- Matteo Salvini leads the League party, which is part of the ruling coalition
- Analyst
- Mujtaba Rahman is managing director of Eurasia Group
3 sources
What people are saying
American intervention regarding Iran carries very heavy consequences
This broken promise has now come back to haunt the Republicans
Trump failed to live up to expectations, was unable to bring the war between Russia and Ukraine to an end and launched a war against Iran
His growing unpopularity, particularly over the cost of living, risks turning what was once a political asset into an electoral liability