Following a landslide election victory for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Saxony-Anhalt, Donald Trump publicly congratulated the group, declaring: ‘Make Germany Great Again!’
Analysis: This statement is characterized by its grotesque appropriation of American nationalist rhetoric for a foreign political context. By applying his signature ‘MAGA’ branding to the German political landscape, Trump demonstrates a disregard for the historical sensitivities and the specific political nuances of post-war Germany. The slogan, which is deeply rooted in American exceptionalism, is being used to validate a party that is frequently categorized as extremist by German mainstream political institutions. The absurdity lies in the projection of a domestic US populist framework onto a sovereign European nation, effectively signaling an endorsement of ideological movements that challenge the established transatlantic consensus. The immediate consequence of this rhetoric was the cancellation of a planned phone call by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, illustrating the tangible diplomatic friction caused by such inflammatory endorsements.
Source: Haaretz, 2026-09-09.
Be First to Comment