Grok says:
There is limited evidence of prominent European economists, pundits, politicians, academics, or public intellectuals openly supporting Donald Trump. His policies, particularly on trade, immigration, and international relations, have often been viewed skeptically in Europe, where free trade, multilateralism, and liberal democratic norms are widely endorsed.
Economists
No major European economists have been widely documented as explicitly supporting Trump. European economists tend to favor free trade and global economic integration, which clash with Trump’s protectionist tariffs and “America First” policies. For instance, a 2016 letter signed by 370 economists (many from Western institutions, including Europe) called Trump a “dangerous, destructive choice” for the U.S. economy, citing his trade and fiscal policies. While this was primarily U.S.-focused, it reflects a broader academic consensus in Western economics, including Europe, critical of Trump’s approach.
Politicians
Some European populist and nationalist politicians have expressed sympathy for Trump’s style or policies, particularly his anti-establishment rhetoric, immigration stance, and skepticism of international organizations like NATO or the EU. Notable examples include:
Nigel Farage (UK): The former UKIP and Brexit Party leader has been a vocal Trump supporter, appearing at Trump rallies and praising his outsider approach. Farage shares Trump’s skepticism of globalist institutions and immigration policies.
Matteo Salvini (Italy): The former Italian Deputy Prime Minister and League leader has expressed admiration for Trump’s nationalism and tough stance on immigration, though his support is more rhetorical than policy-driven.
Viktor Orbán (Hungary): The Hungarian Prime Minister has openly backed Trump, particularly during his 2024 campaign, praising his “strong leadership” and aligning with Trump’s anti-immigration and conservative cultural stances. Orbán’s government has hosted Trump-friendly events, like CPAC Hungary.
Geert Wilders (Netherlands): The leader of the Party for Freedom has voiced support for Trump’s populist and anti-immigration rhetoric, seeing parallels with his own platform.
These figures are often on the right-wing or populist spectrum, and their support for Trump tends to focus on shared ideological themes rather than detailed policy endorsement.
Pundits and Public Intellectuals
Some European pundits and intellectuals, particularly those critical of the EU, globalization, or progressive cultural trends, have expressed cautious or partial support for Trump’s ideas:
Douglas Murray (UK): The conservative author and commentator has not endorsed Trump outright but has defended aspects of his appeal, arguing that Trump’s rise reflects legitimate grievances against elite overreach and political correctness. Murray’s focus is more on the cultural dynamics Trump represents than on his specific policies.
Éric Zemmour (France): The far-right commentator and former presidential candidate has praised Trump’s anti-establishment energy and nationalism, drawing parallels to his own critiques of French and EU elites.
Spiked Online Contributors (UK): Some writers for this libertarian-leaning outlet have expressed sympathy for Trump’s rejection of progressive orthodoxy and globalist policies, though they often critique his inconsistencies.
However, mainstream European pundits and intellectuals, especially in liberal or centrist circles, tend to view Trump critically, focusing on his perceived undermining of democratic norms and international alliances like NATO.
Academics
There is little evidence of prominent European academics openly supporting Trump. European academia leans left or centrist, and Trump’s policies—particularly on trade, climate, and governance—have drawn criticism. A 2023 study highlighted divisions among conservative academics in the U.S., with some embracing Trump’s populism and others rejecting it, but no parallel study exists for Europe. Anecdotally, some conservative or contrarian academics in fields like political science or sociology might sympathize with Trump’s anti-elite rhetoric, but they are not prominent or numerous enough to constitute a major trend.
