European Nationalists Distance Themselves from Trump's Iran War

Once viewed as MAGA allies, some far-right European leaders are now openly criticizing the U.S. president's military actions.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, abstract painting in warm tones depicting fragmented, overlapping political symbols and figures, conveying the chaotic tensions between Trump and European nationalist leaders over the Iran conflict.The Iran war has fractured relationships between Trump and his once-allied European nationalist movements, exposing the limits of his efforts to build an international populist coalition.Denver Today

Many European nationalist leaders who were once seen as allies of former U.S. President Donald Trump are now distancing themselves from his decision to go to war with Iran. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, and the head of Germany's Alternative for Germany party have all expressed open revulsion at the conflict, rupturing relationships that were supposed to usher in a new international order.

Why it matters

The backlash from European far-right leaders over the Iran war represents a significant shift in the political landscape, as these factions were previously viewed as natural allies of the Trump administration's nationalist agenda. This rupture could undermine Trump's efforts to build a global coalition of like-minded populist movements.

The details

Despite Vice President JD Vance's recent campaign appearance in support of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, such displays of trans-Atlantic cooperation have become the exception rather than the rule among European conservatives and far-right leaders. Orbán has been more cautious in his criticism of Trump's actions, likely due to his longstanding efforts to portray his alliance with the former U.S. president as a guarantee of security and prosperity for Hungary.

  • In recent weeks, the Iran war ceasefire has remained fragile, with disagreements over Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Earlier this year, Trump threatened NATO ally Denmark over his demand that the country give Greenland to the United States.

The players

Giorgia Meloni

The Italian Premier who refused to let the United States use an air base in Sicily to launch attacks on Iran.

Marine Le Pen

The leader of France's National Rally party who described Trump's war goals as "erratic."

Viktor Orbán

The Hungarian Prime Minister who has long been an icon for the global right and many American conservatives, and who faces a tough election this weekend.

JD Vance

The U.S. Vice President who campaigned for Viktor Orbán this week, slamming Orbán's critics in the European Union for "foreign interference" in the election.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who was eager to strengthen ties with Europe's right wing upon returning to the White House, but is now facing backlash from many of those same factions over the Iran war.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Getting a blessing from Donald Trump is now a mixed blessing.”

— Charles Kupchan, Professor of international relations at Georgetown University and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations

“Building some sort of international coalition around national chauvinism is very difficult. It's clear the majority of people in these countries, if not anti-American, have turned anti-Trump.”

— Daniel Baer, Former ambassador and State Department official in President Barack Obama's administration, now with the Carnegie Endowment for Peace

“The question is whether (Trump) has started a war or a peace. It hasn't (been) decided yet, historians will make a decision on that. I think we need some time to understand whether we are moving to the peace by these strikes, or just the opposite. It's too early to say.”

— Viktor Orbán, Hungarian Prime Minister

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.