Trump Blasts Germany Over ‘US Embarrassment’ Remarks
Donald Trump has unleashed a tirade against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz following the latter's remarks about the US's handling of its ongoing conflict with Iran.
Earlier this week, Merz claimed that the US had been “humiliated” by Iran, as negotiations between Washington and Tehran falter over a resolution to the war and the reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz.
“An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible,” he stated, noting the Iranians' adeptness at negotiation.
In a blistering post on Truth Social, Trump retorted: “The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”
“If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage. I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago. No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise,” he added.
This exchange marks yet another chapter in Trump's ongoing criticism of European leaders, particularly as US-European relations strain amid several NATO countries' reluctance to fully support the US-Israel military actions against Iran.
Despite being labeled a “Trump whisperer” in Europe last year, Sir Keir Starmer quickly became a target of Trump's vitriol. In March, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the UK, dismissing Starmer as “no Winston Churchill.”
He further lamented, “I said, ‘You don’t want to do it? We’ve been with you. You’re our oldest ally and we spend a lot of money on NATO and all of these things to protect you’. I think it’s terrible. I was very surprised.”
Trump's ire towards Starmer predates the Iran conflict; he previously criticized the UK government’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, labeling it an “act of GREAT STUPIDITY” in a furious social media outburst.
While the US-UK relationship remains intact—Trump himself affirmed it was “absolutely” salvageable ahead of King Charles's visit to Washington—his rapport with Spain appears irreparably damaged.
“Spain has been terrible,” Trump remarked during a meeting with Merz shortly after hostilities escalated in Iran. “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”
He criticized Spain for being a “terrible partner” in NATO due to its failure to meet the alliance's defense spending target of 5 percent of GDP.
In response to Trump's comments, the Spanish Prime Minister delivered a 10-minute address condemning the rhetoric and reaffirming his opposition to war and what he termed the “breakdown of international law.” He asserted that Spain would not participate in actions detrimental to global stability simply out of fear of retaliation.
The Elysee Palace responded to Trump's threats against Spain, revealing that French President Emmanuel Macron had expressed solidarity with Spain during a conversation with Prime Minister Sanchez.
This situation risks further deterioration in Franco-American relations, which have been tense since Trump resumed the presidency in January 2025.
Earlier this year, Trump took aim at Macron personally, referencing a video where Brigitte Macron appeared to push her husband as they exited a plane in Vietnam. Expressing frustration over the lack of support for the Iran conflict, he remarked: “We didn’t need them, but I asked anyway.”
“I call up France, Macron – whose wife treats him extremely badly... Still recovering from the right to the jaw,” he added.
Macron dismissed Trump's comments as “neither elegant nor up to standard,” marking yet another instance in their series of contentious exchanges, including Trump's assertion that “Emmanuel always gets it wrong” and accusations of Macron seeking publicity.
