The Rest Is Politics 528. Trump vs. Germany and Farage’s £5m ‘Gift’
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May 5, 2026 Trump’s threat to pull troops from Germany sparks a tense look at Europe’s shaky strategy for dealing with him. Britain’s local elections raise big questions about Labour, Starmer, and the rise of five-party politics. Nigel Farage’s £5 million crypto-linked donation also comes under the spotlight, along with the scrutiny around it.
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Why No One Can Reliably Manage Trump
- Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart argue there is no real Trump whisperer because Trump swings from praise to punishment when slighted.
- After Friedrich Merz criticised Trump on Iran, Trump called him useless and threatened to remove 5,000 US troops from Germany.
US Troops In Germany Serve America Too
- Trump’s troop threat weakens Europe and also undercuts American power because Germany hosts key US military infrastructure.
- Alastair Campbell cites Ramstein, Landstuhl, EUCOM, AFRICOM and Wiesbaden as assets previous presidents kept for US security, not charity.
Iran Shockwaves Could Reshape Western Politics
- The unresolved Iran crisis matters globally because blocked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could hammer growth, inflation and democratic politics.
- Rory Stewart links weaker economies to gains for Reform in Britain and AfD in Germany while watching a Kentucky anti-Trump primary for signs of MAGA fracture.