Meloni and Orbán – Trump's friends in Europe

Who in Europe is closest to the USA's incoming president Donald Trump? Here are four eager supporters – and a joker – in the battle to get the White House to listen.

» Published: January 20 2025

Meloni and Orbán – Trump's friends in Europe
Photo: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP/TT

The Prime Ministers of Italy and Hungary – Giorgia Meloni and Viktor Orbán – have already been guests of Trump's in Florida and are generally seen as the incoming president's most important allies in Europe.

However, there is a significant difference between the two when it comes to their views on Ukraine. The majority of other EU and NATO countries hope that the Italian will get Trump to continue supporting the ruling government in Kyiv.

Orbán, on the other hand, hopes for the opposite. He risks, in turn, causing friction in relations with Washington due to Hungary's close economic ties with China.

Criticism of Farage

In the UK, arch-Brexiteer Nigel Farage has long been a strong Trump supporter. He probably got a bit of a shock, however, when his capacity as party leader of the Reform Party was recently questioned by new Trump favorite Elon Musk.

On the other hand, Farage and Trump are united by their genuinely negative view of the EU. On this issue, both Meloni and Orbán are significantly more positive. Although Orbán is often in conflict with both the EU leadership in Brussels and other EU countries, he has always ruled out leaving or dismantling the EU – even if he would like to see changes in how the union functions and acts.

Unexpected Guest

From France, debater and provocateur Éric Zemmour has been invited to Trump's inauguration in Washington, along with his girlfriend Sarah Knafo – the only remaining EU parliamentarian in Zemmour's far-right party.

Whether this can help Zemmour increase his increasingly marginal support at home is uncertain. Many interpret his early invitation to the US as yet another sign that Trump does not like far-right competitor Marine Le Pen, despite similar views.

Continued "Bromance"?

Perhaps it is instead France's President Emmanuel Macron who has the greatest opportunity to influence Donald Trump. Although they think differently on many issues, Trump and Macron have had a special relationship since Trump was invited to Macron's first national day celebration as president in 2017.

Trump's only visit to Europe after the election last November was also made to Macron, at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in December.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Denmark Criticizes US VP Vance's
1 MIN READ

Denmark Criticizes US VP Vance's Remarks on Greenland Visit

US Expands Airstrikes in Yemen
2 MIN READ

US Expands Airstrikes in Yemen Targeting Houthi-Controlled Areas

FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Cites
1 MIN READ

FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Cites Kennedy's Misinformation

16 Maoist Rebels Killed in
1 MIN READ

16 Maoist Rebels Killed in Ongoing Clashes with Indian Forces

Football Fan Discovers Sensitive UK
2 MIN READ

Football Fan Discovers Sensitive UK Military Documents in Trash Bag

Myanmar Earthquake Rescue Efforts Intensify
3 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Rescue Efforts Intensify as Voices Heard in Rubble

Columbia University President Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Columbia University President Steps Down After Funding Agreement

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Russian Drone Attack on Dnipro Leaves Four Dead, Many Injured

Yemen's Huthi Movement Accuses US
1 MIN READ

Yemen's Huthi Movement Accuses US of Airstrikes on Sanaa

Damascus Lifts Alcohol Ban in
1 MIN READ

Damascus Lifts Alcohol Ban in Christian Quarters After Protests

Zelensky Open to Peace Talks
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Open to Peace Talks with Russia, Excluding Putin

South Sudan's Vice President Riek
1 MIN READ

South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar Placed Under House Arrest

Ukraine Recovers 909 Soldiers' Remains
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Recovers 909 Soldiers' Remains from Russian Conflict

Frederiksen Calls Vance's Criticism of
2 MIN READ

Frederiksen Calls Vance's Criticism of Denmark Unfair During Greenland Visit

Greenland's New Government Aims for
2 MIN READ

Greenland's New Government Aims for Stability and Unity

Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse Caught on
1 MIN READ

Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse Caught on Camera in 30 Seconds

Putin and Erdogan Talk Black
1 MIN READ

Putin and Erdogan Talk Black Sea Deal and Sanctions Relief

Denmark Proposes Defense Pact with
2 MIN READ

Denmark Proposes Defense Pact with US Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Netanyahu Warns of Renewed Strikes
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu Warns of Renewed Strikes on Beirut After Ceasefire Breach

Myanmar Earthquake Adds to Struggles
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Adds to Struggles in War-Torn Nation

Seismologist Warns of Severe Impact
1 MIN READ

Seismologist Warns of Severe Impact After Myanmar Earthquake

Russian Strikes Hit Ukrainian Energy
1 MIN READ

Russian Strikes Hit Ukrainian Energy Sites as Ceasefire Talks Falter

Swedes in Bangkok Share Earthquake
3 MIN READ

Swedes in Bangkok Share Earthquake Fears as City Grapples with Aftershocks

Istanbul Mayor's Lawyer Arrested in
1 MIN READ

Istanbul Mayor's Lawyer Arrested in Turkey, Sparking Outcry

Myanmar Earthquake: Over 150 Dead,
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake: Over 150 Dead, Thousands Feared Lost

US Vice President Visits Greenland
2 MIN READ

US Vice President Visits Greenland Base as Tensions Simmer

Greenlanders Anxious Over US Interest
3 MIN READ

Greenlanders Anxious Over US Interest as Trump Sparks Debate

US VP Visit to Greenland
2 MIN READ

US VP Visit to Greenland Base Sparks Tension and Uncertainty

Canada's New PM Carney Declares
1 MIN READ

Canada's New PM Carney Declares Shift in US Relations

Seized Superyacht Linked to Money
1 MIN READ

Seized Superyacht Linked to Money Laundering Fetches 108 Million

Rubio Warns Venezuela Against Aggression
1 MIN READ

Rubio Warns Venezuela Against Aggression Towards Guyana

Judge Orders Preservation of Leaked
1 MIN READ

Judge Orders Preservation of Leaked Chat on Yemen Discussions

King Charles Hospitalized for Observation
1 MIN READ

King Charles Hospitalized for Observation Due to Treatment Side Effects

Iran Replies to Trump's Nuclear
1 MIN READ

Iran Replies to Trump's Nuclear Energy Letter via Oman

Belgium Probes 40+ Drink-Spiking Rape
1 MIN READ

Belgium Probes 40+ Drink-Spiking Rape Cases in Kortrijk Bars

Denmark Eases Health Criteria to
1 MIN READ

Denmark Eases Health Criteria to Boost Defense Recruitment

Four Parties Form New Coalition
1 MIN READ

Four Parties Form New Coalition in Greenland's Government

Prosecutors Seek Seven-Year Sentence for
1 MIN READ

Prosecutors Seek Seven-Year Sentence for Sarkozy in Libyan Funds Case

Just Stop Oil Ends High-Profile
2 MIN READ

Just Stop Oil Ends High-Profile Protests After Achieving Goals

Putin Warns US Intent on
1 MIN READ

Putin Warns US Intent on Greenland is Serious