‘Disturbing and pathetic’: German politicians slam Audi CEO’s appearance at Trump rally
The German car manufacturer plans to open a factory in the U.S. state of Georgia.
German politicians have harshly condemned Audi CEO Gernot Döllner for attending a Donald Trump campaign rally alongside the U.S. president. Isabel Cademartori, a Social Democratic Party lawmaker, called it a "new low" for the VW Group, given its Nazi history. Audi is a subsidiary of Volkswagen, founded by the Nazi Party in 1937.
Cademartori accused Audi of endorsing Trump's trade war strategy, which she believes shifts jobs from Europe to the U.S. The announcement of Audi's $4 billion investment to build a factory in the U.S. came as Volkswagen faces a crisis, with factory closures and layoffs expected. CDU party spokesman Dennis Radtke criticized Döllner's appearance at the Republican rally, stating that Trump's policies are damaging German industry.
Union leaders also condemned Döllner's actions, calling it embarrassing and politically unacceptable. Audi defended the move, saying it's a long-term commitment to the U.S. and a growth strategy.
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