The world's right-wing leaders are gleeful, but America's traditional allies hint at unease


The world

Nov. 6, 2024, 6:25 PM GMT+5 LONDON — Most world leaders were always going to congratulate Donald Trump on his presidential win, as they did early Wednesday before he was even officially declared the victor. Some — like right-wingers and populists in Israel, India, the Gulf and Europe — were gleeful. Many of America’s traditional allies, meanwhile, hinted at their unease but also a pragmatic determination to make the best of their new reality: four more years of a man who has undermined Washington’s friends and boosted its autocratic foes, attempted to overturn the 2020 election and denied basic climate science. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was “history’s greatest comeback!” While his ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted “Yesssss” followed by the American and Israeli flags and a strong-arm emoji. In the world’s largest democracy, India, populist Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his “heartiest congratulations my friend.” And Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is accused by human rights groups of attacking democratic dissent and the rule of law, led the celebrations among Europe’s rising ultranationalists, saying he would be popping champagne corks. “Italy and the United States are ‘sister’ nations, linked by an unshakeable alliance, common values, and a historic friendship,” Italy’s hard-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, wrote on X. “It is a strategic bond, which I am sure we will now strengthen even further.” Orbán and Meloni are relative outliers in Europe, where most leaders will have hoped for a Harris win, according to officials and experts looking at their shared policies and style. Few were ever going to say that, given the 50% chance of having to deal with Trump in January. And in the event they too quickly sent their congratulations, reflecting the need to have good relations with Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron — who many saw as something of a “Trump whisperer” during his first term — said he was “ready to work together as we did for four years,” in a post on X. “With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.” In a parallel message written in French, however, Macron said he had spoken with his German counterpart, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a conversation that reflected the stark reality now faced by Europe.