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
- Where Is Obama? Im Out Here! He Told Me. Watch the Interview. - Mother Jones - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Obama Continues to Lecture His Fellow Democrats Instead of Battling the Trump Agenda - Esquire - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama address divorce rumors - WUSA9 - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- George W. Bush Was 'Kind of Mad' at Daughter for Asking Him About Obama Divorce Rumors: 'I Know Them and It Isn't True' - People.com - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- 'She took me back': Barack, Michelle Obama address and joke about divorce rumors - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Michelle and Barack Obama Reveal Whos the Grumpiest, the Messiest and the Most Romantic - MSN - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack Obama gets candid about why he would have had difficulty raising a son - TheGrio - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Jesse Watters: Boring Barack Obama is trying to save the Democratic Partys appeal to male voters - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack Obama's first statement on divorce rumors: 'She took me back!' - Times of India - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack, Michelle Obama laugh off divorce rumors: See their relationship through the years - USA Today - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Believes It Wouldve Been Difficult To Raise A Son - VIBE.com - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- F*ggot: Antonio Brown sparks outrage with homophobic slur aimed at Barack Obama over inclusive friendsh - Times of India - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack Obama reveals why having sons wouldve terrified him - rollingout.com - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Are Barack & Michelle Obama Getting Divorced? They Finally Address the Rumors - Swooon - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Former President George W. Bush Was Really 'Mad' His Daughter Asked Him About The Obama Divorce Rumors - The Blast - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trump dodges question on if hes in Epstein files and claims Obama and James Comey made them up - The Independent - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama bros confronted on Democratic Party's intolerance problem, history of excluding people - Fox News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama's call to action for Democrats: 'Toughen up' and 'less whining' - MSNBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama slams Big Law attorneys who won't fight Trump because they want to 'finish that kitchen rehab' at their Hamptons homes - Business Insider - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump says Obama and Biden made up the Epstein files - The Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama Delivers Tough Talk to Dems on How to Defeat Trump - The Daily Beast - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- In defence of Step Brothers: the platonic ideal of Obama-era comedy - The Guardian - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama address divorce rumors in playful podcast moment: Touch and go for a while - Page Six - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump denies being cited in Epstein documents, calls files fabricated by Comey and Obama - WCIV - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama reveals why it would have been difficult to raise a son after having two daughters - The Independent - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama demands less whining and more action from Democrats - MassLive - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Charlamagne criticizes Obama's 'mind-boggling' advice to Democrats as too little, too late - Fox News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Why Barack and Michelle Obama Would Have Had Difficulty Raising a Son - instyle.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama says raising a son wouldve been more difficult than raising Sasha and Malia - HOLA - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama Calls Out Biglaw Firms That Capitulated To Trump - Above the Law - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Explains Why He Would Have Had 'Difficulty' Raising a Son After Parenting 2 Daughters (Exclusive) - People.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Whoopi Goldberg claps back at Obama's claim that Democrats need to stop "whining": "You are pointing the finger at the wrong... - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Frustrated with leadership under Trump? Obama calls on Democrats to 'toughen up' - USA Today - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Whoopi Goldberg criticizes Barack Obama for saying Democrats need to 'toughen up' - Entertainment Weekly - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Former Obama speechwriter admits shunning conservative in his family was a mistake - Fox News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama reveal hard times as they directly address divorce rumors - UNILAD - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama admits he would've been more 'judgmental' if he had a son over daughters - Daily Express US - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Wants Democrats To Be the YIMBY Party. That's Easier Said Than Done. - Reason Magazine - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Former President Obama tells Democrats to toughen up and stop looking for the messiah - TheGrio - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama reveals why it would have been difficult to raise a son after having two daughters - Yahoo - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama urges Democrats to toughen up amid frustration under Trump - The Boston Globe - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Jennifer Aniston sparks dating buzz with hypnotist Jim Curtis as netizens joke, Wheres Obama? - Hindustan Times - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Trump warned he could lose House over Epstein files row; pins blame on Obama and Biden - Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- New book claims Trump asked Obama this surprising question at Jimmy Carters funeral - The Economic Times - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Joined by Obama and Sherrill, Murphy raises more than $1.5 million for DNC - New Jersey Globe - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Larry David returns to TV with a heavy heart for Barack Obama-backed HBO sketch comedy - Los Angeles Times - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Obama is back on the fundraising circuit trying to help Democrats rebound for upcoming elections - The Independent - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Obama Steps Into the Ring to Deliver a Knockout Blow to Trump - The Daily Beast - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Obama, Backing New Larry David History Show, Avoids the Democratic Resistance to Trump - The New York Sun - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Pretty, pretty presidential: Everything to know about HBOs American history sketch comedy from Larry David and Barack Obama - Gold Derby - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Mamdani campaign dishes out millions to firm of key media strategist for Obama campaigns: 'She's the best' - Fox News - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Barack Obama and Larry David Are Working On a TV Series About US History - La Voce di New York - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Larry David Trolls Bill Maher With His New Barack Obama Partnership - Pajiba - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- From Barack Obama to Emmanuel Macron, global leaders hit by AI and deepfakes - The Indian Express - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Heres what Trump and Obama laughed and talked about at Jimmy Carters funeral, new book reveals - New York Post - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama: I learned this great parenting tip from my mom and dadthey did a 'beautiful job' modeling it - CNBC - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump Asked Obama This Surprising Question at Jimmy Carter's Funeral, New Book Claims - People.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama frets young women are not allowed the unearned confidence young men have - Fox News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Barack Obama To Speak At The O2 London, 3Arena Dublin - Pollstar News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- 'Telling the American story' Obama, Pence to speak at the Global Summit in Erie | Opinion - Erie Times-News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Malia Obama Has the Bag Collection of My Dreams - Teen Vogue - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- This is what President Trump asked Obama at Jimmy Carters funeral, new book claims - PennLive.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- These 3 Words Help Teach Kids Critical Thinking, Say Michelle Obama (and Psychologists) - Inc.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Heres what smiling Trump, Obama really talked about at Carter funeral - SILive.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Obama, Trump Discussed During Viral Interaction Finally Revealed - Newsradio WTAM 1100 - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Details About Trump & Obama's Exchange At Jimmy Carter's Funeral Revealed - Black Information Network - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama on confidence gender gap: Men have it, even when they havent earned it - Washington Examiner - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Obama, Trump Discussed During Viral Interaction Finally Revealed - iHeart - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Obama directed intelligence communitys Trump-Russia witch hunt, CIA review reveals - BLiTZ - Fears None But God - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Trump really said to Obama as they were spotted laughing at Jimmy Carter's funeral finally revealed - UNILAD - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Letter to the Editor: Deporter-in-Chief? Thats Obama, not Trump - courierherald.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- 'Truth' behind Donald Trump and Barack Obama's friendly talk at Jimmy Carter's funeral as laughter stunned onlookers - The US Sun - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Donald Trump Said To Barack Obama At Jimmy Carter's Funeral - The Blast - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- We Finally Found Out What Trump And Obama Were Talking About At Jimmy Carter's Funeral - Yahoo - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- America Doesn't Like Trump: Obama and Even JD Vance are More Popular - thedailypoliticususa.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Barack Obama heads to the UK for talks - voice-online.co.uk - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama had to fight back tears during podcast. Heres why - PennLive - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Barack Obama to lift the lid on life in office in two live appearances - The Independent - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- FanDuel adds former Obama advisor and ex-NFL head to policy team - EGR North America - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Obama's scathing assessment of Biden's failed campaign revealed - Fox News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]