Recent comments by President Trump and Vice President JD Vance regarding Ukraine and Germany have sparked significant concern among traditional American allies in Europe, marking a potential challenge to the postwar order. Conversely, these remarks were celebrated at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland by a gathering of current and former world leaders who view them as a catalyst for a global right-wing resurgence.
Liz Truss, a Conservative member of Parliament and former Prime Minister of Britain, expressed a desire to be part of what she termed the "second American Revolution." Truss was among numerous international political figures attending CPAC, which has evolved into a platform connecting right-wing movements across the Americas, Europe, and Asia in a shared struggle against established geopolitical norms.
In recent weeks, Trump and his administration have openly challenged the postwar order with unprecedented directness. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in extended discussions with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, aimed at re-establishing relations and addressing the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Trump labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator" and placed blame for the 2022 invasion on Ukraine.
Additionally, Vance's remarks at the Munich Security Conference, where he compared the European Union's approach to online censorship with Soviet practices, have drawn attention. He also met with leaders of Germany’s right-wing Alternative for Germany party, known for its controversial history.
Vance defended his comments at CPAC, where various international allies lauded Trump as a pivotal figure in the fight against liberalism on a global scale. They characterized their domestic challenges—including judicial actions and media practices—as part of a broader international movement to suppress traditional values and free markets.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, a Brazilian lawmaker, referred to Brazil as a "laboratory" for judicial overreach against conservatives and claimed U.S.A.I.D. was misusing resources for censorship and political persecution. The foreign delegations present at CPAC expressed support for initiatives by Elon Musk to dismantle U.S.A.I.D. and its associated civil society programs, which have historically received bipartisan backing in the U.S. and the EU.
This year's CPAC embodied the vision of right-wing solidarity sought by Trump’s former adviser Stephen K. Bannon, although Bannon's controversial gesture during his speech drew criticism and led to the cancellation of another speaker’s planned appearance. Despite this, the conference continued to showcase international right-wing figures, highlighting their shared grievances against bureaucratic institutions.
Speakers at the conference, including Nigel Farage and Mateusz Morawiecki, emphasized the progress made by right-wing movements and their opposition to European Union authorities. Hungarian political director Balázs Orbán acknowledged the complexities of international right-wing cooperation but noted that common interests, such as immigration policies and skepticism towards the war in Ukraine, are fostering collaboration among these movements.