What's happened
The US under Trump is escalating a culture war targeting Europe, promoting right-wing allies and undermining EU cohesion. Meanwhile, Hungary and other nations are adopting measures to classify Antifa as a terrorist group, aligning with US policies amid rising tensions.
What's behind the headline?
The US’s aggressive stance on Antifa and its influence on Europe reveals a strategic effort to reshape the continent’s political landscape. By designating Antifa as a terrorist organization, Trump aims to legitimize far-right narratives and suppress left-wing activism, both in the US and Europe. Hungary’s move to create a terrorist list aligns with this approach, signaling a broader shift towards securitizing political dissent. The European response, as detailed by ECFR and ECF, shows a resilient sense of identity and attachment to EU values, despite US efforts to exploit ideological divisions. Trump’s culture war tactics—excluding EU leaders from Ukraine talks, attacking mainstream parties, and promoting nationalist figures—are designed to destabilize EU cohesion and foster a transatlantic divide. However, polling indicates that European citizens largely remain committed to the EU, with increased trust and support for collective security and sovereignty. This suggests that while US influence is significant, it will not succeed in eroding European unity entirely. The next phase will likely involve EU leaders balancing strategic resistance with pragmatic engagement, deploying legal tools and diplomatic measures to protect core values while avoiding escalation. Ultimately, the story underscores a broader contest over the future of liberal democracy and the resilience of European identity in the face of external ideological assaults.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that Trump’s order and Hungary’s decree are part of a coordinated effort to classify Antifa as a terrorist threat, with Hungary explicitly including Antifa groups in its new terrorist list. The article highlights Hungary’s move to create a national register for terrorist organizations, aligning with US policies, and emphasizes the political motives behind these actions. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera’s coverage of the ECFR and ECF report underscores the broader European context, illustrating how Trump’s culture war is aimed at undermining EU cohesion through ideological battles over migration, climate, and free speech. The report details how Trump’s policies have excluded EU leaders from key discussions, such as Ukraine, and have emboldened nationalist figures across Europe. Both sources agree that the US’s influence is strategic and aimed at weakening European unity, but they also note the strong public and political support for EU integration and sovereignty. The contrasting focus on legal measures versus cultural and ideological battles offers a comprehensive view of the ongoing tensions.
How we got here
Amid rising US influence, Trump’s administration has intensified efforts to label Antifa as a terrorist organization, influencing European policies. Hungary has moved to create a national terrorist list, including Antifa-linked groups, reflecting broader US-EU tensions over political ideologies and security concerns. European sentiment remains strong, but the US’s push for ideological alignment seeks to weaken EU unity and promote conservative values.
Go deeper
- How will the EU respond to US efforts to undermine its cohesion?
- What are the implications of Hungary’s terrorist list for European security?
- Could this US-led culture war lead to increased political polarization in Europe?
Common question
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Why Is the US Targeting Europe in a Culture War?
Recent developments show the US, under Trump and his allies, actively engaging in a cultural conflict with Europe. This involves supporting right-wing groups, influencing policies, and even classifying groups like Antifa as terrorists. But what does this mean for Europe’s future? How are European countries responding? And what are the broader implications of US-backed alliances? Below, we explore these questions and more to understand the ongoing culture war shaping the continent today.
More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The European Cultural Foundation (ECF) is a Netherlands-based independent cultural foundation. Its mission is to “make a tangible impact on civil society, citizen initiatives, public opinion and policy proposals to combat the fragmenting forces jeopard
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The European Council on Foreign Relations is a pan-European think tank with offices in seven European capitals. Launched in October 2007, it conducts research on European foreign and security policy and provides a meeting space for decision-makers, activi