Trump calls Europe ‘weak’ as he doubles down on immigration attacks

Donald Trump has sharpened his criticism of European governments, calling the continent “weak” and “decaying” because of migration and urging leaders to deport those who entered illegally. In an interview with Politico, the US president said Europe was being held back by “political correctness.”

“Europe, they want to be politically correct, and it makes them weak,” he said. “If that keeps going the way it’s going, in my opinion, many of those countries will not be viable countries any longer. Their immigration policy is a disaster.”

The comments land days after the White House released a National Security Strategy warning of “civilisational erasure” in Europe and urging Washington to “cultivate resistance” within allied states. Critics say the tone marks one of the most direct rhetorical escalations toward European partners since Trump’s return to office.

Pressed on whether he intended to interfere in European politics, Trump replied that he is focused on running the US, but didn’t close the door on endorsing parties or candidates abroad, similar to his open backing of right-wing leaders in Latin America.

He also said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is requesting a US bailout comparable to the $40bn that went to Argentina under President Javier Milei, but denied that a deal has been secured. Far-right movements aligned with Trump face mixed domestic reception across Europe, from coalition cordons in Germany to fractured blocs in the European Parliament.

Trump revived his long-running attacks on London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, saying:

“He’s a horrible mayor. He’s an incompetent mayor, but he’s a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor.”

He suggested Khan was elected by immigrants and repeated claims that the UK is letting people in “unchecked, unvetted.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has continued to back Khan publicly, avoiding confrontation with Washington.

In his Politico interview, Trump also complained about conditions in Paris and Sweden, calling the country “very unsafe” even as Sweden recorded 92 homicides last year, less than half the number in Memphis, Tennessee, a city with a population six times smaller.