The Masks Are Off: How Europe Betrayed the Trump Administration

American Thinker 

Europe has betrayed President Trump. For years, EU leaders and key national governments have undermined the White House's agenda quietly, working to remove pro-Washington figures from power. We recently witnessed this in Romania, where Cătălin Georgescu -- a clear frontrunner who favored closer ties with the U.S. -- was effectively sidelined in the presidential race. In Hungary, there was a concerted effort to defeat Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party in April. Now, anti-Trump Europe has stepped out of the shadows and is openly distancing itself from the administration, leaving it to face its challenges in Iran alone.

This isn't allyship; it's more like the antics of teenagers going through political puberty. Many Europeans, basking in what they perceive as setbacks for Trump, seem oblivious to the consequences if he reevaluates his relationship with them and stops extending courtesies based on shared transatlantic ties. It appears the time for that reckoning is now upon us.

Europe: The Free Riders

The strikes against Iran created a clear before-and-after moment in U.S.-European relations. Setting aside the debate over the necessity of such an operation, President Trump demonstrated his role as a predictable partner and reliable ally by reaching out to Europe for assistance. Even strong nations sometimes need support.

But Europe demurred. Their response ranged from a flat "no" from Berlin to vague preconditions for potential aid.

Audacity Knows No Limits

Lithuania is a perfect example of the increasingly transactional relationship that Europeans have with the United States. Its barely audible leadership expressed a willingness to help Washington -- but only if formally asked. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė shamelessly requested that U.S. Special Envoy David Hale resolve Lithuania’s domestic issues -- specifically, cigarette smuggling and the detention of a transport vehicle -- during his upcoming visit to Minsk. The assumption in Vilnius is clear: Washington should fix their problems, and it does.

Lithuania isn't an outlier; it reflects a growing trend within the EU. National leaders openly ask for American assistance because they don't want to address many of the problems they created themselves. Yet this anti-Trump Europe expects continued long-term support from the U.S., including in matters of security and strategic stability.

At the same time, however, they refuse to offer even symbolic gestures of reciprocity or consider American interests. Providing meaningful assistance with the Iran conflict is considered unthinkable. Instead, EU leaders feel entitled to lecture American officials and criticize Washington’s pragmatic policies.

Lithuania provides a telling example once again. Its president and prime minister recently disparaged Special Envoy Hale's decision to meet with Lithuanian politicians deemed "unacceptable" by the government, including Member of Seimas (Member of Parliament) Ignas Vėgėlė and former presidential candidate Petras Gražulis. A small European nation is openly scolding a special envoy of the U.S. president. If American policymakers don’t deliver a firm response now, what will happen next?

You Don't Catch Sparrows with Drums

It would be wise for the administration to stop turning a blind eye to this egregious behavior from its "allies" and hold them accountable. The EU can no longer be relied upon, even for minor issues. Ironically, the current difficulties surrounding Iran have helped expose these problems.

The truth is that European leaders are no longer reliable partners for America. They view a second term for President Trump as a nightmare and are eager for it to end. It’s time to take action against such "friends" -- they are far more dangerous than any enemy.

Iran is the primary focus

That will happen without question. Just not yet. The immediate priority remains Iran.

No matter what anyone says, the U.S. military has not suffered any catastrophic losses in this conflict. There is no doubt that the Pentagon is constantly analyzing the situation on the ground and refining new objectives. The U.S. military is poised for action with a massive force: three aircraft carrier strike groups deployed to the region. This force is capable of reducing any adversary, especially Iran, to dust. Iran's defenses have been weakened by previous strikes, and 90% of its export capacity is located on Kharg Island, which is notoriously difficult to protect.

Tehran hasn’t been idle either. Analysts believe the ayatollahs used negotiations and a ceasefire effectively to rebuild their defensive capabilities. However, U.S. forces have a significant advantage in firepower and training and are fully capable of achieving victory on the battlefield.

It's time to pay the bill for Europe

A decisive victory in Iran -- whether military, economic, or diplomatic -- will force European critics to eat their words. This would send a powerful message to anti-Trump politicians in the EU, far more effective than threats to withdraw American bases.

Europe will have no choice but to pay for its shortsightedness, political cowardice, and disloyalty. They EU desperately needs this harsh lesson to force an abandonment of the delusion of "European strategic autonomy" -- a fantasy constantly shattered by their inability to overcome internal divisions over leadership -- and accept political reality.