President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have made remarks in recent weeks that have caused concern among longstanding American allies in Europe, challenging the postwar world order. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland, the sentiments expressed were seen as evidence of a global right-wing resurgence that is set to reshape world affairs. Political figures from various countries attended the conference, highlighting the interconnectedness of right-wing movements across continents.
Recent actions taken by the Trump administration, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meeting with Russian officials to reset relations and President Trump’s comments about Ukraine, have raised doubts about the United States’ commitment to established norms. Vice President Vance criticized the European Union’s online speech regulations at the Munich Security Conference and met with Germany’s right-wing Alternative for Germany party, which has been associated with neo-Nazi ideologies.
At CPAC, international leaders applauded President Trump as a transformative figure in the fight against liberalism. They viewed traditional institutions and norms, such as independent media and civil society programs, as impediments to their agenda. Efforts to curb online misinformation and promote democratic values were criticized as overreach, reflecting a growing influence of the global right on American policies.
The conference celebrated Elon Musk’s push to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development and its programs, which have been bipartisan endeavors promoting democracy and rule of law. Right-wing parties have opposed these initiatives, accusing them of censorship and political persecution. The connections between the global right, led by figures like Musk, and American conservatives were highlighted at CPAC.
The event marked a full realization of the vision of right-wing solidarity advocated by Stephen K. Bannon during the first Trump administration. Bannon’s controversial gestures and remarks at the conference generated mixed reactions, with some international speakers distancing themselves from his rhetoric. However, others, like Mexican actor Eduardo Verástegui, embraced provocative gestures in defiance of criticism.
Prominent figures like Nigel Farage reflected on the evolution of the right-wing movement since he first spoke at CPAC 13 years ago. Participants criticized the European Union bureaucracy and global institutions that they viewed as biased against their interests. Shared goals such as restricting immigration, promoting Christianity, and questioning international dynamics like the conflict in Ukraine have united disparate right-wing movements, despite their differing national interests. The interconnectedness of these movements presents challenges but also opportunities for collaboration in reshaping the global order.
