Why many Europeans love Obama and loathe Trump
Barack Obama appeared in Berlin with Angela Merkel and, making an apparent jab at Donald Trump, said, 'We can't hide behind a wall.' Elizabeth Keatinge (@elizkeatinge) has more. Buzz60
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, left, listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony to unveil artifacts from the World Trade Center and Berlin Wall for the new NATO headquarters, May 25, 2017, in Brussels.(Photo: Evan Vucci, AP)
Barack Obama and Donald Trump appeared in public at the same time in Europe Thursday, but reactions could not have been starker.
The former presidentreceived a rock-star welcome in Berlin, while his successor received looks of bewilderment from European leaders in Brussels.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former president Barack Obama arrive for a discussion on democracy at Church Congress on May 25, 2017 in Berlin, Germany.(Photo: Steffi Loos, Getty Images)
Here are somereasons why so many Europeans love Obama and loathe Trump.
NATO
Trump chastised his colleagues for not contributing enough to their collective defense. "NATO members must finally contribute their fair share and meet their financial obligations, Trump said. "Twenty-threeof 28 nations in the alliance are not paying what they should be paying for their defense. This is very unfair to the taxpayers of the USA.
During the campaign, Trump calledNATO obsolete and that before sending U.S. troops to defend Europe, he would check whether members had met their defense spending obligations. He later backtracked on both issuesand has promised to increase the U.S. military presence in Europe.
On Thursday, Trumpnoted"the commitments that bind us together as one" and promised to "never forsake the friends who stood by our side."
Obama, who reduced the U.S. military presence in Europe before increasing it after Russia's aggression towardUkraine, never raised any doubts about the U.S. commitment to the allianceand had a more cooperative approach withEuropean leaders.
A young spectator takes a picture, alongside another holding a sign reading 'Obama can we keep you?', during a conversation event with former president Barack Obama on the topic of 'Being Involved in Democracy: Taking on Responsibility Locally and Globally' at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, on May 25, 2017.(Photo: Clemens Bilan, EPA)
EUROPEAN UNION
Trump angered European leaders in January, when he told British Prime Minister Theresa May that Brexit, the British exit from the European Union,is going to be a wonderful thing for your country. The move, approved in a referendum in June 2016,would help Britain re-establish its own identity, control immigration and engage in trade withwhoever it wants, Trump said.
The reaction was harsh. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in March he would campaign for the secession of U.S. states, such as Ohio and Texas, if the U.S. president continued with such talk.
On Thursday, Trump seemed to have changed his tune. He privatelytold European leaders he is worriedU.S. jobs could be lost because of Brexit, according to local media reports.
Pro-EU Obama warned before the historic votethat if it went forward the U.K. is going to be in the back of the queue on trade deals with the U.S. The U.K. is at its best when its helping to lead a strong European Union, Obamasaid lastApril.
U.S. President Donald Trump, right, speaks to British Prime Minister Theresa May during a working dinner meeting at the NATO headquarters during a NATO summit of heads of state and government in Brussels on May 25, 2017.(Photo: Matt Dunham, AP)
INTELLIGENCE LEAKS
May on Thursday complained to Trump about crime scene photosfrom Monday's suicide bombing in Manchester, England, which were shared with intelligence agencies in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries, being leaked to The New York Times. It was the latest controversy involving intelligence leaks during Trump's presidency.
The White House said the alleged leaks are deeply troubling and promiseditwill get to the bottom of this,and if appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Obama also angered his European counterparts, when WikiLeaks in 2013 published documents provided by National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowdenthat showed the U.S. intelligence agency had spied on foreign leaders. TheyincludedGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel, who hosted Obama's visit on Thursday.Obamasmoothed things over with his European counterparts, implementing changeshe said would end U.S. spying on leaders of allies and close friends.
IMMIGRATION
Trump has criticized EU immigration policies, which the president says welcome too many Muslim refugeeswho could pose a terror threat.
In 2016, Trump told Fox Business Network: You go to Brussels I was in Brussels a long time ago, 20 years ago, so beautiful, everything is so beautiful.Its like living in a hellhole right now."
Obama sent a clear message Thursday to Trumpabout his promise to build a wall along the Mexican border. "In this new world we live in, we cant isolate ourselves we cant hide behind a wall," Obama said.
Immigration is a divisive issue in Europe that helped Brexit pass and has fueled insurgent political campaigns across the continent. However, Frenchanti-immigrationcandidate Marine Le Pen, who Trump supported, was soundly defeated for president this month.And Merkel appears to be in a strong position for re-election inSeptember, even though she welcomed 1million migrants to Germany.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Trump has called global warming a "hoax,"while Obama is a strong proponent of environmental measures to combat climate change. That is in line with European thinking on the issue.
French President Emmanuel Macron onThursday urged Trump avoid hasty decisions on a global Paris climate treaty signed by Obama in 2016.The current president said as a candidate he would abandonthe landmark pact.
Pope Francis, another leading voice for environmental concerns,on Wednesday urged Trump to change his stance on the issue, giving him as a gift a copy of his encyclical on climate change.
Read more:
Trump to Pope Francis at the Vatican: 'We can use peace'
Trump, European Union leaders remain at odds over Russia
At NATO, Trump does not pledge U.S. commitment to collective defense
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Why many Europeans love Obama and loathe Trump
- Today in History: March 20, Obama first U.S. president to visit Cuba in nearly 90 years - Daily Local - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- From Bush to Obama to Trump, White House faith office persists at 25 years - Religion News Service - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Larry David on Obama and Lola Youngs return highlights of SXSW 2026 - The Times - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Celebrity Brackets: Where former President Barack Obama, Snoop Dogg have UConn in NCAA Tournament - CT Insider - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Thanks, Obama: We are all cash payers for healthcare now - Washington Examiner - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
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- Donald Trump Posts Photo of Himself Being Added to Iconic Obama Painting - Newsweek - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
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- Obama takes on NBA star Anthony Edwards at basketball, ping pong and Connect Four - AOL.com - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Maya Hawke Officially Starring In Netflix's New Series Adaptation Of Barack Obama-Approved Bestselling Crime Thriller Novel - Screen Rant - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Letters: Barack Obama spoke truth to ugly and corrupt power that is sadly overtaking morality - The Irish Independent - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- People Cant Believe What Trump Has Done With White Houses Obama Portrait - Newsweek - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- PIAA boys basketball championship preview: Father and son hope to help Obama Academy make history by winning first championship - Pittsburgh... - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Obama Reveals Truth Behind Cryptic Post That Sparked 2028 Run Speculation - Newsweek - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Anthony Edwards and Barack Obama renew their friendly rivalry ahead of Obama Presidential Center opening - TheGrio - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- I Wargamed Iran for Obama. This Is the Worst-Case Scenario - Zeteo | Substack - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Opinion | What Democrats Should Relearn From Obama - The New York Times - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Sky News Australia. . US President Donald Trump says that scrapping the Iran nuclear deal signed under former president Barack Obama prevented a... - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Obama takes on NBA star Anthony Edwards at basketball, ping pong and Connect Four - The Independent - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Obama goes head-to-head with Anthony Edwards in trash-talking sports showdown - The Independent - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Beyond Obama: 10 Reasons for Attending the Reform Biennial - JNS - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Quote of the day by Barack Obama: Real test is not whether you avoid this failure, it's - Mint - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Rumors Swirled About Michelle Obama's Alleged Affair With A Comedian (Who Never Met Her) - thelist.com - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Barack Obama, Anthony Edwards battle in basketball, table tennis and it's wildly entertaining - Yahoo Sports - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- "Open that hand up, OG" - Anthony Edwards viral HORSE battle with Barack Obama steals the show - Basketball Network - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Obama Wanted Strong Borders, Trump Built Them: Obamas 2007 Immigration Quote Gains Fresh Attention Amid the Most Aggressive U.S. Border Crackdown in... - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Tuberville warns of activation of Iranian 'sleeper cells' let in by Obama, Biden admins 'They're just sitting back waiting' - 1819 News - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama says she and Barack are navigating 'new phase' of marriage - wonderwall.com - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- 5 simple but powerful parenting lessons from Michelle Obama - The Times of India - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Obama-appointed judge orders release of MS-13 gang member with history of rape, robbery, attacked ICE officers - Fox News - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Trumps Claim About the Obama Nuclear Deal and Irans Nuclear Development - FactCheck.org - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Trump Mocks Biden And Obama For How They Walk And It Reveals More Than He Realizes - Yahoo - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Steven Spielberg Says Hes Developing a Kick Ass Western Movie and Got Excited When Obama Said Aliens Are Real: This Is So Great For Disclosure Day -... - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Obama Presidential Center's grand opening celebrations to begin in June - ABC7 Los Angeles - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Trump Reverses Obama on Iran - National Review - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Obama Presidential Center dedication will be on June 18 - Mshale - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Barack and Michelle Obama Join Producing Team of Proof on Broadway - The Hollywood Reporter - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- What to watch for in WPIAL sports on March 13, 2026: Deer Lakes, Obama Academy to meet in unlikely quarterfinal - Trib HSSN - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Naron Jackson's last-second putback puts Obama Academy in the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinals - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Obama Presidential Center to have replica of the Oval Office - The Chicago Crusader - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Trump Mocks Biden And Obama For How They Walk And It Reveals More Than He Realizes - HuffPost - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Barack and Michelle Obama announce joint career move as Broadway producers - Yahoo - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Reveals How She and Barack Are Navigating "New Phase of Life" After "Hard" Times in Marriage - instyle.com - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Barack and Michelle Obama are heading to Broadway as producers for revival of Proof - TheGrio - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Trump Mocks Obama Over How He Walks Down Stairs Again - BIN: Black Information Network - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Paradise star Sterling K. Brown had the most relatable reaction to meeting Michelle Obama - TheGrio - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
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- Obama Academy Stuns Cathedral Prep, Ends State Title Favorites Run; Hickory's Offense Goes Dry in Loss to Deer Lakes powered by the Allegheny Grille -... - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Jesse Jackson Jr. rebukes Obama, Clinton, and Biden for not truly knowing his father during memorial service - Fox News - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Obama thinks they are real, Donald Trump has 'UFO speech ready': Are we close to finding aliens? - The Times of India - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Obama Presidential Center opens this Juneteenth - The Architects Newspaper - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
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- Obama Leader and Scholar advances reproductive rights in Europe - Obama Foundation - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Former Obama adviser warns of uncertain path in Iran during annual Samuel C. Waters Lecture in Political Science at Presbyterian College -... - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Shares Rare Throwback Photos in Emotional Reflection on Her Childhood Growing Up in Chicago - instyle.com - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Donald Trump Isn't Invited to Obama Center's Grand Opening, but George W. Bush Will Be - People.com - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Obama clings to relevanceand to racial division - kingfisherpress.net - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Obama Presidential Center to celebrate grand opening over Juneteenth holiday weekend - WGN-TV - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- The Internet Reacts To Michelle Obama Saying Her Family Had To Act 'Perfect' In The White House - Yahoo - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- The Obama Presidential Center will finally open in Chicago this June - Time Out Worldwide - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
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- Michelle Obama Skips Another High-Profile Event Amid Rumors of Marriage Woes with Husband Barack - Yahoo - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- South Bend manufacturer helps put finishing touches on Obama Presidential Center - WSBT - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Barack Obama credits Jesse Jackson with inspring change: "We are living in a time when it can be hard to hope" - CBS News - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton were among the dozens of speakers at a public memorial for the late Rev. Jesse Jackson in Chicago. The event... - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- With Iran, Obama Displayed The Art of the Deal. Trump Didnt - Washington Monthly - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Jesse Jackson hailed as ambassador of hope at memorial attended by Clintons, Obama and Biden - The Guardian - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Ta-Nehisi Coates, writer: Obama never understood how deep-seated racism is in the country that elected him - EL PAS English - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Obama endorses Virginia redistricting push with early voting set to begin - CNN - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Obama calls on voters to help Democrats' Virginia redistricting ahead of midterm elections - CBS News - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama slammed for 'very odd' absence at Jesse Jackson's funeral - even though it's in her hometown - the-sun.com - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Jesse Jacksons Funeral in Photos: Obama, Clinton and Biden Speak - Newsweek - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Obama reflects on moving to Chicago, learning from Rev. Jackson - FOX 32 Chicago - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Trump 2nd Term Approval Higher Than Obama, Bush Within Their PartiesPolls - Newsweek - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Obama endorses Virginia redistricting constitutional amendment that could help Dems gain 4 seats - Fox News - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- FACTS: Michelle Obama Says Theres No Way Trumps Behavior Would Be Accepted If It Came From Her Family - Black Enterprise - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Beaming Newsom schmoozes Dem heavyweights at Jesse Jackson memorial as Obama makes telling gesture about govs future - New York Post - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]