Tue Sep 23 10:46:33 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Report: Trump’s Culture War Targets European Unity, But EU Belonging Remains Strong**
Brussels – A new report has revealed that former US President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) agenda continues to exert influence in Europe, fueling a culture war aimed at undermining European unity.
The study, conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and the European Cultural Foundation (ECF), highlights Trump’s efforts to support political allies in Europe who promote divisive ideologies. These ideological battles encompass issues such as migration, climate change, “wokeism,” and free speech.
Despite these external pressures, the report finds that a strong sense of belonging to the European Union persists across member states. Pragmatism is driving the public and political appreciation for the EU.
Pawel Zerka, ECFR senior policy fellow and author of the report, argues that Trump’s culture war manifests through actions like excluding Europe from key discussions on the war in Ukraine and ongoing trade negotiations. He emphasizes that Europe possesses the strength to thrive despite the destabilizing effects of Trump’s policies.
The report suggests that the EU often finds itself reacting to crises orchestrated by Trump, hindering its ability to set its own agenda. Andre Wilkens, director of the European Cultural Foundation, urges European leaders to recognize and respond to the cultural attachment people have to Europe. By doing so, political parties can develop electoral strategies that resonate with citizens and limit the appeal of Trump’s ideological allies.
First Piper 