Trump says Europe is heading in "very bad directions"

• Trump says Europe is heading in "very bad directions" amid disputes on migration and regulation.
• US security strategy accuses Europe of “civilizational erasure.”
• Disagreement deepens between Washington and European capitals over Ukraine policy.
• Trump defends Elon Musk after EU imposes major fine on X.

US President Donald Trump issued new warnings Monday about Europe’s political trajectory, claiming the continent is moving in what he called "very bad directions."

His remarks came just days after the White House unveiled a national security strategy that sharply criticized European policies on migration and regulation.

During brief comments to reporters, Trump objected to the European Union’s decision to fine Elon Musk’s platform X one hundred forty million dollars for violating the bloc’s digital rules. Trump admitted he was not fully briefed on the case but described the penalty as “nasty.”

“Look, Europe has to be very careful. (They're) doing a lot of things. We want to keep Europe Europe,” he said. “Europe is going in some bad directions. It's very bad, very bad for the people. We don't want Europe to change so much. They're going in some very bad directions.”

- Security strategy sharpens criticism of allies -

The administration’s newly released national security strategy accused Europe of excessive regulation and warned of “civilizational erasure” tied to mass migration. The document said Washington would be “cultivating resistance to Europe's current trajectory within European nations,” language that drew attention for its unusually direct criticism of close allies.

- Ukraine war vision widens rift -

Tensions have also grown between the United States and European governments over the future of the war in Ukraine. European officials fear Washington is preparing to push Kyiv into concessions that would involve giving up territory to Russia. The Kremlin, meanwhile, welcomed the new US strategy, saying it was “largely consistent” with Moscow’s worldview.

- Musk dispute adds to friction -

Trump’s latest remarks echoed Elon Musk’s own rhetoric. The billionaire has repeatedly attacked EU migration and digital policies and said the bloc “should be abolished” after receiving the fine. Brussels dismissed his comments as “completely crazy.”

Asked whether he would intervene over the penalty imposed on X, Trump said, “I don’t think it's right,” but noted that “Elon has not called me to ask for help on that one” and promised to review the details later.