European far-right politicians have begun to distance themselves from Donald Trump following the Democrats' performance in the US midterm elections, though they have largely refrained from direct criticism of the former US president. This shift is notable as many of these leaders had previously celebrated ideological ties with Trump after his 2024 victory, with some visiting Washington and receiving support from his ally Elon Musk.
Jordan Bardella, leader of France's National Rally, suggested that Trump's second term was less isolationist than his first, and that American intervention regarding Iran had significant global economic consequences, without naming Trump. Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, echoed this sentiment, telling T-Online that Trump's failure to uphold his promise of non-interventionist foreign policy contributed to the Republicans' losses.
Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy's far-right League party, stated that international tensions and the rising cost of living, which he said directly impacts families, influenced the US election outcome. He expressed hope that the vote would accelerate an end to conflicts and a return to peace. Roberto Vannacci, a former Italian general leading the far-right Futuro Nazionale party, criticized Trump for failing to end the Russia-Ukraine war and for initiating a war against Iran, arguing that resultant energy price hikes and economic turmoil hurt the US middle class and contributed to the election results.
Analysts suggest this distancing is for political advantage. Mujtaba Rahman, managing director of Eurasia Group, told Reuters that Trump's growing unpopularity, particularly over the cost of living, risks turning a past political asset into an electoral liability. Rahman noted that far-right leaders appear to want to benefit from "Trumpism" without being associated with the "chaos and economic disruption of his presidency."
However, Dan Dungaciu, vice-president of the opposition hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians, downplayed the significance of the Republican defeat, arguing that reports of Trump's "political death" are exaggerated. He posited that Trump would transition from a presidency with Republican congressional majorities to one with more intense checks and balances between the executive and Congress.
In Spain, Vox party leader Santiago Abascal indicated a clear move away from Trump, stating his focus was on Spain. Rupert Lowe, leader of the far-right Restore Britain party, blamed the decision to attack Iran as a "catastrophic mistake" that achieved nothing of worth, though he omitted Trump's name. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage acknowledged the Republican election results as a "complete and utter rout," attributing it partly to the war in Iran and the cost of fuel, which he said influenced voters who had previously supported Trump.