Former French president says President Trump is ‘no longer an ally’

Former French President François Hollande recently made headlines with his bold statement in an interview, where he proclaimed that President Donald Trump and his administration are “no longer” allies. Hollande, who left office in 2017, did not hold back in his criticisms of Trump’s first few weeks back in the Oval Office.

In an interview with French news outlet Le Monde, Hollande expressed his concerns about the direction of the Trump administration. He stated that while the American people remain friends of France, the Trump administration itself is no longer considered an ally. Hollande accused Trump of “making pacts with our adversaries,” indicating a shift in the traditional alliances between the United States and its European partners.

Hollande went on to elaborate on Trump’s view of global powers, asserting that the U.S., Russia, and China are the only nations that Trump considers significant. According to Hollande, Trump no longer sees Europe as a relevant player on the world stage. This stance has led Hollande to believe that a potential “divorce” between the U.S. and Europe is on the horizon, with Trump’s focus shifting away from China towards Europe.

The former French leader highlighted several key incidents that have strained the relationship between the U.S. and Europe, including Trump’s derogatory remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his willingness to engage in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Additionally, the U.S.’s decision to vote against a U.N. resolution condemning Russia further solidified Hollande’s concerns about the deteriorating alliance.

Hollande also raised the issue of NATO, urging the alliance to prepare for the possibility of Trump not adhering to Article 5, which mandates mutual defense among NATO members. This uncertainty has prompted Hollande to call for a reevaluation of Europe’s security strategy in light of the shifting dynamics in transatlantic relations.

Despite these tensions, the Trump administration has emphasized the importance of European nations taking more responsibility for their defense. While there are calls for increased European autonomy, there is no indication that the U.S. plans to withdraw from NATO at this time.

Hollande’s criticisms of Trump are not new, as he had previously warned of the dangers of a Trump presidency during the 2016 election. Hollande’s concerns about the impact of Trump’s policies on Europe and the transatlantic relationship have been validated by recent developments.

In a recent meeting between Trump and Hollande’s successor, French President Emmanuel Macron, the two leaders discussed progress in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Trump praised Macron as a “special man” and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with France.

Overall, Hollande’s remarks underscore the growing tensions between the U.S. and Europe under the Trump administration. As European leaders navigate this evolving relationship, they must consider the implications of a potential rift with the United States and prioritize their own security interests in a changing geopolitical landscape.