# Even if US democracy can be salvaged from Trump, Europe is moving on | Rafael Behr

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/even-if-us-democracy-can-be-salvaged-from-trump-europe-is-moving-on-rafael-behr/
- Published: 2026-11-03T18:07:14+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T05:50:16+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/nov/03/us-democracy-donald-trump-europe-trust
- Topics: Americas, Europe, Politics, World

## Key points

- Trump’s return has shaken confidence in US democracy.
- Europe may take decades to trust the US again.
- Economic fallout and political loyalty shape the midterm stakes.

## Summary

Rafael Behr argues that even if US democracy survives Donald Trump’s second term, it will take decades to restore European trust in the United States. Trump’s return after attempting to overturn the 2020 result has weakened confidence that American democratic institutions are supported by a durable commitment to constitutional principles.

At the time of writing, midterm polling favoured Democrats, but Behr says a fair count and peaceful transfer of power could not be taken for granted. He links Republican support for Trump, voter concerns about the economy and the effects of the Iran war, including higher bills after the Strait of Hormuz closed, to the risks facing US democracy and the transatlantic relationship.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.