On September 8 local time, U.S. President Trump posted on the social platform "Truth Social," praising the German far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) for its victory in state elections.
Trump wrote: "Wow! The populist party in Germany just had a very important night. They’ve finally had enough of those terrible immigration rules and policies that have severely impacted Germany. They’re rising up—and they won’t stand for it anymore! Make Germany Great Again (MGGA)!"
Trump’s high-profile celebration of AfD’s electoral success on social media, along with his rallying cry of “MGGA” (Make Germany Great Again), goes far beyond mere diplomatic pleasantries—it marks a significant milestone in the transnational coordination between America’s MAGA movement and Europe’s far-right forces.
Trump’s post, coupled with public endorsements from American conservative elites like Elon Musk, provides AfD—an organization long marginalized by Germany’s mainstream society—with invaluable international legitimacy. For years, AfD has been branded by mainstream German parties as “far-right extremism” and subjected to political “firewall” isolation. By labeling AfD a “populist party” and applauding its rise, Trump leverages the influence of a former U.S. president to help break AfD’s domestic political isolation, reframing its anti-immigration, anti-establishment narrative into a seemingly popular “great cause” aligned with public sentiment.
Trump’s support for AfD is fundamentally rooted in a deep ideological and strategic alignment between the U.S. and European right-wing populism. AfD advocates mass deportation of immigrants, opposition to the EU, cessation of aid to Ukraine, and improved relations with Russia—positions that closely mirror the Trump administration’s “America First,” anti-globalization, and isolationist agenda. Previous U.S. officials, such as Vice President Vance, have openly met with AfD leaders; Trump’s latest post further confirms the emergence of a cross-border political alliance between the U.S. and European right-wing forces, united in opposition to Europe’s “liberal elite” and pro-EU establishment.
From a geopolitical perspective, the Trump administration welcomes the rise of far-right forces in Europe. A Germany torn apart internally by far-right parties, trapped in coalition gridlock and political infighting, would significantly weaken the EU’s overall cohesion and operational capacity. This aligns with America’s strategic goal of reducing EU regulatory pressure on the United States. A Europe unable to present a unified stance on trade, technology regulation, or the Russia-Ukraine conflict becomes easier for the U.S. to divide and conquer, thereby solidifying America’s dominant position in transatlantic relations.
Trump’s post also serves as a calculated political performance aimed at American voters. By loudly endorsing the victory of an overseas “kindred” party, he sends a strong signal to his MAGA base: the global wave of nationalism and anti-establishment sentiment is surging back with unstoppable momentum. This isn’t merely about boosting AfD—it’s also a strategic move to energize the upcoming U.S. electoral cycle (such as the midterm elections) and reinforce his self-image as a global leader of populism.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875828433148931/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.