Trump wants to be with the ‘winners.’ Europe should remember that.
Getting the White House onside isn't about ideology — it's about popularity, said POLITICO's Jonathan Martin.
European nations should focus their efforts on convincing President Donald Trump that they and Ukraine are on the winning side of the ongoing conflict, according to POLITICO's U.S. politics bureau chief Jonathan Martin. Speaking at the Playbook Live event in Brussels, Martin emphasized Trump's preference for associating with "winners" and individuals who embody contemporary appeal, regardless of their political beliefs.
Martin cited Trump's recent friendly interaction with Zohran Mamdani, the left-leaning mayor of New York City, as evidence of the president's focus on personal charisma and popularity rather than ideological alignment. The meeting between Trump and Mamdani, despite their differing political views, highlights Trump's inclination to be associated with individuals who are "cool in the moment" and part of the "in club."
For Europe, Martin argued, it is crucial to persuade Trump that Russia is losing the war and that Ukraine is making significant strides, particularly in terms of advanced drone technology and the mounting casualties suffered by the Russian forces. By emphasizing Ukraine's current prominence and potential, European leaders can enhance their prospects of securing continued U.S. support during the ongoing conflict.
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
