In a symbolic and unexpected diplomatic gesture, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday presented US President Donald Trump with a framed birth certificate of Trump’s grandfather, during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office. The gift highlighted deep-rooted personal ties between the two nations amid high-level talks on global and regional matters.
“Born in 1869 Close to Brandenburg”
“This is the birth certificate of Donald Trump’s grandfather. Born in 1869 close to Brandenburg. And his first name was Friedrich,” Merz told reporters with a smile, referencing Friedrich Trump, the patriarch of the Trump family who emigrated from Kallstadt, Germany, to the United States in 1885.
Trump, visibly moved, shook hands with Merz and responded:
“I want to thank you very much for this one. Fantastic. Maybe we can put it up there someplace.”
The gift seemed to resonate personally with Trump, who has often spoken with pride about his German heritage.
The Man Behind the Name: Friedrich Trump
Born on March 14, 1869, Friedrich Trump left Germany at age 16 and eventually laid the foundations of the Trump family’s real estate fortune. He died in 1918 in Queens, New York, a victim of the flu pandemic. His early entrepreneurial ventures — from barbering to boarding houses — marked the beginning of the Trump legacy in America.
Diplomatic Dialogue with a Personal Touch
The meeting between Trump and Merz was otherwise focused on pressing global issues, including the war in Ukraine, defense cooperation, NATO troop commitments, and US-EU trade relations. Unlike the combative tone of some previous Oval Office encounters, the conversation was cordial and constructive.
Trump praised Merz, calling him “a good representative of Germany” — while adding with his signature flair that the German leader was also “difficult,” which he called “a compliment.”
Merz, in turn, distanced himself from past controversial German energy policies, labeling Nord Stream 2 — the now-defunct Russia-Germany pipeline — a “mistake,” and reaffirmed Germany’s readiness to deepen ties with Washington.
What It Means
The presentation of a family document in such a high-profile setting was a rare personal gesture in modern diplomacy, subtly reinforcing shared heritage and mutual respect at a time when international partnerships face new geopolitical pressures.
In a world often dominated by policy and protocol, this simple historical gift spoke volumes — not just about Donald Trump’s German roots, but also about how leaders are choosing to connect through history, heritage, and human touch.
As Trump himself said, finding a place for that framed birth certificate might just be the easiest part of the meeting.