Washington: US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a sharp warning to Europe, saying the continent was moving in “very bad directions,” just days after his new national security strategy criticised the European Union over migration and heavy regulation.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump lashed out at what he called a “nasty” $140 million fine imposed by the EU on Elon Musk’s social media platform X — though he admitted he lacked full details.
“I don’t think it’s right,” Trump said. “Look, Europe has to be very careful. They’re doing a lot of things. We want to keep Europe Europe. Europe is going in some bad directions… very bad for the people.”
Part of Broader Criticism of Europe
Trump’s comments came after the release of the administration’s new national security strategy, which described Europe as over-regulated and warned of “civilizational erasure” due to mass migration. In unusually blunt language for an allied bloc, the document said the US would be “cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations.”
The remarks also highlight the widening transatlantic rift over how to end the war in Ukraine, with European leaders worried Washington may pressure Kyiv into surrendering territory to Russia.
The Kremlin welcomed the US strategy changes on Saturday, saying the shift was “largely consistent” with Russia’s own positions.
Musk’s Clash With Europe
The fine against X came after EU regulators said the platform violated digital rules on illegal content and transparency. Musk, who has frequently aligned himself with Trump on cultural and political issues, responded by saying the European Union should be “abolished” — comments Brussels dismissed as “completely crazy.”
Trump said Musk had not contacted him for help but added he would seek more details about the penalty.
Growing Tensions on Migration
Trump’s warnings echo Musk’s aggressive criticism of European migration policies. Both have repeatedly claimed Europe faces a transformative demographic threat — rhetoric that EU officials have strongly rejected.