There were many potential Democratic presidential candidates in Munich. In public statements and private conversations, some of which amounted to de facto bilateral meetings, Democrats from California Governor Gavin Newsom to New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez assured their European partners that Trump was temporary and the transatlantic relationship was not.
“It's very important that we have such a large Democratic representation this year and that we can show that as a party we are committed to taking a different path,” Ocasio-Cortez tells me. — Regardless of any political speculation, it is important for people to see the unity of this commitment to our allies and partners.
Newsom emphasizes that America's long-standing relationship “is dormant, but not dead,” and that a “wrecker president” is responsible for its current state. However, Trump will not give up power so easily. “We are ready for this,” says Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The president's top representative, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, delivered a speech aimed at reassuring Europe and portraying Trumpism without the rhetorical attack that was Vice President J.D. Vance's speech at last year's meeting. But Rubio's remarks were so compelling that they received a standing ovation and only served to remind Republicans and other observers across the Atlantic that he is a far more talented politician than Vance. The politician fueled speculation that he may win the nomination of the Republican Party in the US presidential elections in 2028.
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The European hosts also couldn't stop thinking about tomorrow. On the one hand, they were grateful for Rubio's outstretched hand and Valentine's Day call for America and the continent to “stand together.” On the other hand, policymakers are so shocked by Trump's recent actions that they are planning for a future in which they cannot rely on the United States.
Concerned about Trump's threats against Greenland, European leaders have spoken out about the administration. More importantly, they discussed a kind of NATO within the EU and the need for a nuclear umbrella beyond Washington's control. It is possible that Europe has the TACO theory in the back of its mind [Trump Always Chickens Out, czyli Trump zawsze wymięka]according to which the US president will ultimately withdraw in the face of the world and market reaction.
America's global leadership “has been undermined and possibly squandered,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, distancing Europe from the “culture war of the MAGA movement” while taking a cue from Vance last year in lecturing his American guests.
Referring to the future competition between the United States and China, Merz said directly that “NATO is not only Europe's competitive advantage, but also the United States' competitive advantage.”
In other words: You need us too.
World reorganization. Everyone is waiting for what is to come
French President Emmanuel Macron stated clearly in his speech that “Europe must become a geopolitical power.” Referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's landmark Davos speech on middle powers, he said it meant “de-risking all the great powers to become much more independent.”
Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and how to end it justly were the topics of many plenary sessions and closed meetings. Last year, the largest gathering outside the conference was a demonstration of support for a beleaguered European neighbor. This year, over 200,000 people gathered in connection with the conflict that is yet to come – the overthrow of the Iranian regime.
Chanting “democracy for Iran” and calling on the deposed son of the shah, who was present in Munich, the demonstrators were joined by renowned senator Lindsey Graham, who raised a pre-revolutionary Iranian flag and wore a cap with the words “Make Iran Great Again”.
Graham told me that if Trump and others don't follow through on last month's pledge to help Iran, it would mean “you can't rely on America again” and that “the Western world is full of bullshit.”
The prospect of a new war in the Middle East dominated the streets of Munich, and the conference was dominated by American affairs. Since the late Senator John McCain made the event a permanent fixture on the winter calendar, Munich has attracted a number of American congressmen and government officials.
American politics clearly resonated during the conference.
Hillary Clinton appeared on stage condemning Trump, but a Czech official told her that Trump's victory over her was the result of leftist overreach. [No dobrze, pojawiło się kilka argumentów z przeszłości].
Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez also appeared and called for a more progressive approach to foreign policy. However, her speech will be best remembered for her uncertain answer about the basis of foreign policy: what to do with taiwan.
And then there was Rubio, who, whether he was addressing a stadium of loyal MAGA supporters at Charlie Kirk's funeral service last year or a ballroom full of die-hard globalists, still shows up with viral comments to remind Republicans of what can happen. I would like to add that the list of Republicans opens with the main critic of the political theater: Donald Trump.
Democrats are closing ranks
Congressional Democrats are interested in the future. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is focused on the midterm elections and minces no words in explaining why Europeans should care, too.
“I don't want them to worry,” she tells me when asked about America's allies.
– Why not?
Because in 10 months we will win the election and Hakeem Jeffries will be chairman and we will have ways to stop some of their actions
– he explains, referring to the Trump administration.
-What is hope? The hope is in what comes next, which is: we will win this election, and maybe the Senate elections too, if we achieve a big enough victory, like in the past, he explains.
World leaders, however, were more concerned than reassured by Pelosi's factual prediction that Trump “of course” will try to intervene in the November midterm elections.
The president is talking about federalizing the country's elections or issuing an executive order requiring states to check IDs before voting. Pelosi argues that she and her colleagues are already planning for Trump to challenge the results and perhaps prevent the duly elected winners from taking office. – We are ready for this – he emphasizes.
When it comes to the presidential election, he tells me “yes, of course.” will support Newsomif her colleague from San Francisco decides to run for the US president.
Newsom was as beleaguered as Pelosi. The Governor of California met with Friedrich Merz.
In an interview with POLITICO, he says his message behind closed doors was “none of this is sustainable” and that Trump has never been more politically weakened. He also informed European leaders that the president had been humiliated on immigration and was withdrawing agents from Minnesota; his tariff powers will soon be limited by the Supreme Court, and all indications are that he will be defeated in the midterm elections.
Previously, such comments about the president made abroad by a domestic rival and the leader of America's largest state would have been unusual.
However, there isn't much that can be shocking these days.
Trump, Newsom said, is a “wrecker president.”
Paraphrasing Sam Rayburn's old saying that “any donkey can tear down a barn, but only a good carpenter can build it,” the governor argues that “we're going to need a good carpenter” to repair America's relationships around the world.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
