Trump Redefines the West as Europe Struggles to Break Free from Progressive Orthodoxy

(Analysis) The Americans have made their stance clear: “Ukraine is not joining NATO.” U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s statement aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader strategy of recalibrating U.S. foreign policy toward pragmatism and national interest.

Yet, even as the U.S. pivots toward a peace-focused approach, major European leaders and media outlets continue to advocate for policies rooted in the old liberal track, exposing a growing transatlantic divide.

Trump’s second term has brought a sharp reversal of what progressive elites once framed as irrevocable truths. Migration, long championed by them as inherently beneficial, is now framed by Trump as a challenge requiring strict border controls.

Traditional values, dismissed by progressives as outdated, are defended by Trump as essential to societal stability. While liberals emphasized the Green Deal and high taxation, Trump has prioritized economic competitiveness with low taxes and rejected expansive climate mandates.

His administration has reframed these debates in the U.S., forcing even critics to engage with ideas they once dismissed as fringe.

In Europe, however, old governance remains entrenched. The European Union continues to champion open-border migration policies and ambitious climate initiatives despite mounting public dissatisfaction.

Trump Redefines the West as Europe Struggles to Break Free from Progressive Orthodoxy

Polls show that majorities in EU member states oppose mass migration and favor peace negotiations in Ukraine, yet EU leaders remain committed to their ideological positions. Critics argue this disconnect underscores a “democracy deficit,” where elite-driven agendas overshadow public sentiment.

This ideological rigidity contrasts sharply with Trump’s transactional business focus. His administration has reduced commitments to NATO while urging European nations to increase defense spending and take greater responsibility for regional security.

Meanwhile, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has criticized what he calls Europe’s “liberal dictatorship,” arguing that Western elites stifle debate by labeling dissenting views as extremist.

Orbán claims that both Biden’s U.S. and EU technocrats have previously funneled funds into Hungarian opposition groups and NGOs critical of his government, undermining national sovereignty—a practice he likened to foreign interference.

He also warns that Europe risks becoming mired in an “Afghanistan-like quagmire” if the Ukraine war continues without a realistic peace plan. The Hungarian leader argues that Western sanctions have inadvertently cemented a long-term Russia-China alliance, which could reshape global power dynamics for decades.

While Central European nations like Hungary and Poland prioritize sovereignty and pragmatic foreign relations, aligning with Trump’s priorities and the West’s evolving realities, Western Europe—particularly Germany—remains steadfast in its commitment to ideological policies that critics contend are increasingly disconnected from public concerns.

As Trump reshapes global politics and redefines the narratives of truth and falsehood among elites, Europe faces a pivotal decision: adapt to the shifting ideological landscape or risk falling behind. Without decisive leadership ready to challenge entrenched progressive norms, the continent risks losing its relevance in an increasingly multipolar world.