European far right distances itself from Trump after Republican midterm losses

Europe's far-right leaders are distancing themselves from Donald Trump after Republican losses in the US midterm elections, citing the Iran war, rising energy prices, and cost-of-living pressures as key factors. Analysts say Trump's declining popularity could turn ties with his MAGA movement from an electoral advantage into a liability. French National Rally leader Jordan Bardella said Trump's second term was less isolationist than his first, with Iran intervention carrying heavy economic consequences. Germany's AfD co-leader Alice Weidel blamed a broken promise on non-interventionist foreign policy, while Italy's Matteo Salvini and Roberto Vannacci also pointed to wars and economic turmoil hurting the US middle class. Analyst Mujtaba Rahman noted far-right leaders want Trumpism's ideological momentum without its chaos, though MAGA allies could withdraw support. Some, like Romania's Dan Dungaciu, downplayed the defeat, while Spain's Santiago Abascal and Britain's Rupert Lowe avoided direct criticism of Trump.