Trump Intensifies Critique of European Immigration, Labeling Continent ‘Weak’ and in ‘Decay’

In a sweeping critique of transatlantic policy, U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a renewed broadside against Europe’s immigration systems, declaring the continent “weak” and “decaying.” In a Tuesday interview with Politico, Trump argued that European nations must aggressively deport those who “came into the country illegally” to avoid becoming “non-viable.”

“Europe, they want to be politically correct, and it makes them weak,” Trump stated. “If that keeps going the way it’s going, in my opinion, many of those countries will not be viable countries any longer. Their immigration policy is a disaster.”

This rhetoric amplifies a central theme of Trump’s political identity, which has long opposed immigration to Western nations, often targeting migrants from African and Muslim-majority countries with particularly harsh language.

Strategic and Electoral Interventions

The comments follow the recent release of a Trump-aligned “National Security Strategy” document that warns of “civilisational erasure” in Europe and advocates for cultivating political resistance to the continent’s current trajectory within its own nations. While Trump claimed his focus remains on governing the U.S., he did not rule out directly intervening in European politics by endorsing candidates, mirroring his support for right-wing figures in Latin America.

He confirmed that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally, is seeking a U.S. financial assistance package akin to the $40 billion deal extended to Argentina’s President Javier Milei. Trump, however, denied Orbán’s claim that such a deal is already secured.

Despite these ambitions, Trump’s ability to empower political allies in Europe faces significant hurdles. Many far-right parties that echo his platform remain politically isolated at home. In Germany, for instance, mainstream parties across the spectrum have vowed to exclude the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) from any governing coalition.

Renewed Attacks on London’s Mayor

A frequent target of Trump’s criticism, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, came under fresh attack. Trump labeled Khan “a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor” and questioned his ideology, suggesting the mayor was elected primarily by immigrant voters.

“He gets elected because so many people have come in, and they vote for him,” Trump said, echoing the “great replacement” conspiracy theory—a baseless narrative alleging a plot to displace white populations with non-white immigrants. This marks an escalation of Trump’s longstanding feud with Khan, which included false claims in a past UN speech that the mayor had instituted Islamic law in London.

The critique of London and the UK persists despite the British government’s implementation of increasingly restrictive immigration laws. “They are allowing people just to come in, unchecked, unvetted,” Trump claimed.

Muted Transatlantic Response

The response from European and British leaders to Trump’s latest remarks has been notably restrained. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has offered a general defense of his Labour Party ally, Mayor Khan, but has not directly condemned Trump’s statements. This cautious approach highlights the diplomatic tightrope many European leaders walk as they anticipate a potential second Trump presidency.

Trump also disparaged the conditions of other European destinations, claiming Paris has deteriorated and stating Sweden is now “very unsafe.” These claims stand in stark contrast to crime statistics: Sweden, with a population of 10.6 million, recorded 92 homicides in 2023. By comparison, the U.S. city of Memphis, Tennessee, with a population under 630,000, recorded 250 murders in the same period.

A Pattern of Provocation

Trump’s latest comments continue a pattern of provoking diplomatic tensions with European allies over immigration. In 2017, he sparked a crisis with the UK by sharing inflammatory, fake videos from a British far-right figure, which were condemned by then-Prime Minister Theresa May as “wrong.”

As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Trump’s intensified focus on European immigration signals his intent to leverage the issue both as a domestic rallying cry for his base and as a wedge in transatlantic relations, challenging the postwar liberal consensus on open societies and multilateralism.

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