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
- After Kirks Killing, Obama Says the Nation Is in a Political Crisis - The New York Times - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Obama tackles 'controversial topics' in visit to Erie with nation at inflection point - Buffalo Toronto Public Media - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Obama condemns Charlie Kirk's killing, says tragedy being used to 'silence discussion' - Erie Times-News - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Royal Expert Reveals Why a "Serious Row" Erupted When Queen Elizabeth Offered to Personally Greet Barack Obama in Windsor During U.K. Visit... - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Former President Barack Obama will make trip to Erie for JES Global Summit - yourerie.com - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- WATCH: Sean Lafferty live at the Erie Insurance Arena awaiting Obama appearance - yourerie.com - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Joe Manchin makes a triumphant return and wastes no time targeting Obama, Biden - NJ.com - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Authorities seize truckload of alcohol from Obama Valero gas station after license revoked - WLTX - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Eoin Hayes admits wearing brown makeup to dress up as Barack Obama - MSN - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Irish politician that dressed as Barack Obama in brown makeup apologizes - Daily Express US - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Opinion | Obama makes an about-face on red and blue America - The Washington Post - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Artists including Jenny Holzer, Alison Saar and Kiki Smith creating commissions for Obama Presidential Center - The Art Newspaper - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- T.J. Wilkins and Shanice Will Be Barack and Michelle Obama in New Musical 44 Off-Broadway - Playbill - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Why did the Queen's offer to 'pop out and pick up' Barack Obama spark a 'serious row' between Buckingham Palace and the Secret Service? - Daily Mail - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- This Bavarian Hideaway Has Hosted Obama, Zadie Smith And A Guest List Of Icons Heres What Its Like - SUITCASE Magazine | - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- SNL wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - The Philadelphia Sunday Sun - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- The Obama Presidential Center Announces a Wave of New Commissions, and Other News - surfacemag.com - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Dr. Chris Burton of Union Presbyterian Seminary is announced as a 2025-2026 Obama Foundation Leader - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Soccer Recap: Barack Obama School for Social Justice Starts Season with Defeat on the Road - MaxPreps.com - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Wins Third Emmy for Our Oceans at 2025 Creative Arts Emmys - Blex Media - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Barack Obama condemns 'despicable violence' in the shooting of Charlie Kirk - USA Today - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Meet the Democratic kingmakers who anoint the next Obama - MSNBC News - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- IRS issues termination notice to top aide linked to Obama-era Tea Party targeting scandal - Fox News - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- The Obama Foundation Introduces 2025-2026 Class of More Than 200 Global Leaders - Obama Foundation - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Grassley Slams Obama and Biden Administrations for Decade of Taxpayer-Funded Government Weaponization - Senate Committee on the Judiciary (.gov) - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Joe Biden, Barak Obama, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom and More Democrats React to the Death of Charlie Kirk - Latin Times - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- From Bernie Sanders to Theo Von: These Democratic Kingmakers Will Anoint the Next Obama - Vanity Fair - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Biden and Obama react after the murder of Trump ally Charlie Kirk: This violence has no place in the US, we pray for his family - Gazeta Express - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Obama, Kamala Harris, other Democrats condemn the killing of Trump ally Charlie Kirk - Face2Face Africa - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Meet the Democratic kingmakers who anoint the next Obama - MSN - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - KOB.com - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Charlie Kirk, 31, dead after Utah shooting: Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris and more pay tribute - HELLO! Magazine - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- SNL, Obama and Kendrick Lamar among winners at the Creative Arts Emmys - The Independent - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Obama center construction tab reaches $615M as opening nears - Chicago Tribune - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Barack Obama gets an Emmy: List of winners for the awards first round - The Mercury News - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- In new book, former Obama speechwriter calls on Jews to stand proud for their values - Jewish Insider - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - AP News - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Barack Obama wins third Emmy for Netflix documentary Our Oceans at 2025 Creative Arts Emmys - Mint - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- President Barack Obama Wins His Third Emmy - Deadline - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Scores His Third Emmy, Wins for Narrating Our Oceans at 2025 Creative Arts Emmys - People.com - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Kendrick Lamar, 2025 Grammys, Barack Obama Win on Night 2 of 2025 Creative Arts Emmys - Billboard - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- "That's what I do" - When Barack Obama hit a 3-pointer while on the campaign trail for Joe Biden - Basketball Network - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- SNL, Obama and Kendrick Lamar among winners at the Creative Arts Emmys - Yahoo News Canada - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Wins Third Emmy - V103 - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Obama Judge Who Blocked Planned Parenthood Defunding Takes Aim at Laken Riley Act - The Daily Signal - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - WSLS - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- ICYMI: A Reagan Appointee Assesses Reagan, Obama, Biden, and Trump - TAPinto - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- ESPN Acquires U.S. Rights To Feature Doc Origin: The Story Of The Basketball Africa League Starring Barack Obama & Steph Curry TIFF - Deadline - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - The Sun Chronicle - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - Toronto Star - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - yoursun.com - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Kendrick Lamar, Barack Obama and 'SNL 50' win at the Creative Arts Emmys - The Sun Chronicle - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- St. Petersburgs Obama Main Library is reopening this month - TBNweekly - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- Pritzker urged to avoid playing politics on crime issue by former Obama advisor - Fox News - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- White House adds Trump photo to LinkedIn profile. It shows up on Obama's page - Axios - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Navy reverses demotion of Rep. Ronny Jackson, former White House doctor under Trump and Obama - CBS News - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Eighteen students selected as 2025-26 University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars - The University of Chicago - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Country music singer claims he was blacklisted from radio because of his thoughts on Obama - PennLive.com - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Trump White House Pulls Off Online Troll Of Ex-Employees. Even Obama. - HuffPost - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- White House Childishly Trolls Obama on LinkedIn - The Daily Beast - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- AMAC Action Mobilizes Thousands in Support of Reversing Harmful Obama-Era Home Care Rule - AMAC - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- St. Petersburgs Obama Main Library is reopening this month - Tampa Bay Times - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- PM Modi's 'car diplomacy': From Putin to Obama, when Indian PM rode in same car with world leaders - WION - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- NYC woman busted for threatening to kill President Trump is quietly released by Obama-appointed judge - New York Post - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- 'Proof we live in best timeline': Why is Trump's face showing up on Obama's LinkdIn profile? White House - The Times of India - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- Obama Bro clashes with LA Dem over California housing crisis | RISING - The Hill - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- Why did the Democratic Party lose so many Biden and Obama voters? - KALW - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- Obama warns all Americans are at risk after Trump threatens to clamp down on Chicago - the-independent.com - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Queen Elizabeth Ordered Barack Obama to Go To Bed on His State Visit - The Daily Beast - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Trump furious over 7-4 tariff ruling, thanks Obama-appointed judge for saving the country - Mint - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Michelle Obama, 61, Convinced Me to Buy the Effortlessly Cool $20 Pants Taylor Swift Is Also a Fan Of - instyle.com - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- 'Our country would be completely destroyed': Trump defends tariffs after US court setback; thanks Obama- - The Times of India - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Barack Obama Shares His 10 Favorite Summer Books Just in Time for Labor Day Weekend Reading - Town & Country Magazine - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Anthony Bourdain And Barack Obama Bonded Over Their Love Of This Vibrant Cuisine - Tasting Table - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Who deported more migrants? Obama or Trump? We checked the numbers - The Fulcrum - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Obama warns all Americans are at risk after Trump threatens to clamp down on Chicago - The Independent - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Obama calls Texas Dem as he continues rallying the party against Trump - Politico - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Barack Obama warns against Trumps militarization of American police and cities - TheGrio - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Barack Obama's Favorite Books of the Summer - Publishers Weekly - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]