By Yiannis Damellos
Trump turns toxic - and electorally dangerous- even for Marine Le Pen and her fascist MAGA cadres
Donald Trump has always understood one thing about European populism: it’s supposed to be transactional. For years, MAGA promised Europe’s far-right movements legitimacy, attention, and a kind of “permission structure” to say what they wanted to say at home—more aggressive borders, more hostility toward Brussels, more contempt for liberal constraints. But the transaction is now breaking down. And the break isn’t happening because Europe’s far right suddenly discovered morality or diplomacy. It’s happening because Trump’s conduct has become electorally and reputationally dangerous—even for ideological allies who once benefited from proximity to Washington.
April 16, 2026
In a bold statement on his recent trip to Africa, Pope Leo XIV delivered a passionate appeal for peace, condemning what he called “a handful of tyrants” ravaging the world. His remarks came in the wake of sharp criticism from President Donald Trump, who targeted the U.S.-born pontiff on social media, labeling him “WEAK on crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.” This exchange is emblematic of the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the Vatican, revealing a troubling pattern of disrespect towards religious leadership.
