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
Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2s0qS5r
Read more here:
Why many Europeans love Obama and loathe Trump
- Obama heads to Atlanta to rally voters for Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms - CBS News - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Video: Opinion | The Echoes of Obama in Abdul El-Sayeds Campaign - The New York Times - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- The BU Alum Behind the Obama Presidential Centers Food, Art, and Events - Boston University - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Trump to rally in Kansas, Obama to campaign in 3 states as early voting expands - Spectrum News - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Obama Unloads on Trump Over His 'Appalling Conduct Toward Rep. Ilhan Omar - The Daily Beast - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Election 2026 updates: Obama coming to Cleveland, videos from recent campaign stops - The Land - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Barack Obama is coming to Atlanta to campaign for Ossoff and Bottoms - Axios - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Former President Obama joins Ossoff, Bottoms - the Southerner Online - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- President Trump and former President Obama to visit Georgia ahead of midterms - 95.5 WSB - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Obama Accuses Trump Administration Of Intimidating Ilhan Omar Over Political Views - Arise News - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Obama Slams Trump Probe into Ilhan Omar as 'Appalling' and Says It's Everyone's Problem - Latin Times - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Obama coming to Georgia to rally for Jon Ossoff, Keisha Bottoms - Yahoo - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Obama to hold rally in Atlanta with Ossoff and Bottoms - 11Alive.com - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- PBS Has a New History Special Featuring Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton - Parade Magazine - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- This Week on the Hill: Michigan Senate debate, Trump rallies and Obama hits the trail - The Hill - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Trump says he could still go after Clintons, Obama to destroy their reputations - The Hill - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Barack Obama pays tribute to Manchester cotton workers and cites them as an inspiration - The Guardian - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Takes a Cool-Girl Approach to Fall Dressing With Unexpected Pants - InStyle - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Peter Thiel says Obama and Pope Leo are exploiting AI fears in his latest Antichrist lectures - Fortune - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- 'Not As Hopeful As I Want To Be': Barack Obama Warns Israeli Right-wing Shift Threatens Peace - i24NEWS - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Barack Obama to campaign with Ohio Democrats as he expands his outreach ahead of Election Day - AP News - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Puts Her Dazzling $50,000 Ring Stack on Display With Perfect Fall Outfit - InStyle - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- The Blogs: Time to Tune Out Obama - The Times of Israel - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama steps out for unexpected girls' night with Megan Thee Stallion and La La Anthony in LA - HOLA - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Obama urges Nevadans to elect Attorney General Aaron Ford as governor in new video - KRXI - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Ex-Obama aide restructures comms and lobbying firm - PRWeek - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Barack Obama Says Israel Took Land From Palestinians, Warns It Will Lose Moral Ground: how 11 outlets framed it - NewsCord - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Barack Obama to campaign with Ohio Democrats as he expands his outreach ahead of Election Day - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW) - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Obama warns donors that races are 'on the razor's edge' as he ramps up midterm push - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama, Praising Past White House Remodels, Takes Veiled Aim at Trump - The New York Times - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Sam Kass, former Obama family personal chef and policy adviser, wins the Julia Child Award - Chicago Tribune - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Obama raises more than $13 million for Democrats, urges voters to "turn hope into action" at ballot box in November - CBS News - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Obama Foundation and Presidential Center employees are organizing with AFSCME - afscme - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Boston: The remarkable Bush-Obama friendship - Dallas News - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Mike Ditka tributes pour in from President Trump, former President Obama, Chicago and the NFL - AP News - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Former President Barack Obama endorses David Crowley in Wisconsin race for governor - News From The States - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Obama Foundation and Presidential Center workers to unionize: We don't even have a seat at the table - Chicago Sun-Times - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Trump says he could have done very bad things to Biden, Obama and Clinton - MS NOW - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- KFile: El-Sayed has history of knocking Obama & his failures - CNN - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Trump: I could have done bad things to Hillary Clinton, Biden, Obama - The Hill - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- At the Races: Unleash Obama - Roll Call - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Democrats see hope with Obama on the campaign trail - Denver Gazette - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Obama endorses Crowley for Wisconsin governor - The Daily Cardinal - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama lowers boom on Trump over White House renovations - SILive.com - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Trump says he rejected investigating Biden, Obama out of 'respect' for office - USA Today - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama: Care For This Country as We Would Our Own Children - East Wing Magazine - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- NEWS OF THE WEEK: Barack and Michelle Obama celebrate 34 years wed - Yahoo - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- El-Sayed Has Trump Fuming, AOC Buzzing and Obama Stumping - WSJ - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Former Obama advisor tells divided Maine Democrats to 'get over your s---' and win the race - Fox News - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Abdul El-Sayed Criticized Obama for Years. Now Theyre Campaigning Together - National Review - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Steps Out in Monochromatic Look That Puts a Twist on Her Signature Style - InStyle - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Barack Obama is in Massachusetts today. Here's why - NBC Boston - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WDBJ7 - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama Visits KC, First Day of Fall - Flatland KC - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - FOX5 Vegas - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Obama Presidential Center - Chicago Maroon - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WTHI-TV - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WJHG - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - ABC7 WWSB - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - Valley News Live - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WTOC - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - wvlt.tv - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WBKO - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - KY3 - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - KTRE - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WLFI - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WNEM - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WBTV - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - KBTX News 3 - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - wtvm.com - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WCJB - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - FOX19 | Cincinnati - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - KWCH - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WFSB - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - Cleveland 19 News - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WKYT - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - KNOE - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - Upper Michigan's Source - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WRDW - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - CBS7 - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]