Berlin Tag & Trump's Favorite: How Merz Scores a Victory in the Oval Office
Trump's Confidant Transforms: How Merz Shapes Up as a Trump-Like Figure in the Oval Office
By Violet von der Mauer
Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Email | Print | Copy Link | The Moment of Elation is Absent. With an easy-going air of sovereignty, Friedrich Merz doesn't just ensure a smooth meeting with Donald Trump, but even manages to coax a compliment out of the Americans' commander-in-chief. Thus, the Chancellor takes the spotlight for the Week.
What a whirlwind week in the government district! Sunshine in Berlin - and that despite Friedrich Merz's government having only just taken the reins a month ago. A perfect moment, then, for analyst-savvy columnists like me to name the first winners of the early legislative phase. Of course, these awards are temporary - in this fast-paced world, a today's go-getter can quickly become tomorrow's tumbleweed.
With tumbleweeds, we're not talking about worn-out Hen shed plants, but the past, misguided endeavors of those who try to fly too high. Like the FC Bayern Munich's attempt to sign Florian Wirtz. Like Icarus, ancient mythology tells the tale of a young man who ignored his father's warnings, flew too close to the sun, and paid the ultimate price.
Politics & Diplomacy - How Friedrich Merz's Washington Visit Went
Now, time for the big reveal. Drumroll, please! Here are the results of our awards: In my opinion, the winner of Merz's initial month at the helm is none other than... himself. After a shaky start with the refugee debacle (the Administrative Court of Berlin's decision at the beginning of the week), Merz managed a fabulous comeback! Not only did he manage to impress Donald Trump, the leader of the Western world and Germany's most important ally, during his maiden visit to the White House, but he even scored a compliment from the man himself.
Incidentally, 1949 is also Horst Seehofer and Bruce Springsteen's birth year. You see, Mr. Seehofer was never Chancellor, and Springsteen - after his current White House stint, he can only hope he'll be allowed to vote and perform in America again.
The Elephant in the Room is no longer a Steak
In any case, Merz, who was followed by more journalists on his first journey to the Land of Opportunities than the invite to the German Press Ball, made a killing at the Trump guest bingo. Not only because he wore a suit - unlike the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj. Or because Trump's right-hand man, JD Vance, didn't get a word in.
No, the pièce de résistance was Elon Musk's unexpectedly elongated visit. Instead of the expected brief quarter-hour, the entrepreneur devoted the U.S. President to the Berlin mayor for a full 40 minutes.
Politics & Scandal - Musk Threatens Trump with the Epstein Files
To the delight of turbo-feminist Annalena Baerbock haters, who love to discredit the former foreign minister as an international law lass with the English skills of an average Waldorf school student, Merz charmed with proper business English. The Chancellor even managed to get Trump to spill the beans on a compliment - something he rarely does.
Here's a little something extra: Friedrich Merz's preparation for details such as the obligatory handshake was unparalleled compared to Olaf Scholz's Cum-Ex investigations. With cool-headedness, yet fearlessly, Merz offered his hand to Trump, thus skillfully avoiding the meme trap that many high-ranking state guests have fallen into before.
The most famous handshake mishap remains Abe's 20-second ordeal at the hands of Trump. Unconfirmed sources claim Abe could have slid his hand under any door for about three weeks until his gripping organ recovered.
Politics - Merz draws conclusion from Washington visit: "The truth is coming out"
Before Merz, only Emmanuel Macron had managed to watch enough old Bud Spencer movies to keep up with handshake marathons. For years, the French president has engaged in legendary reception hall duels with Trump, often starring each other down for awkward minutes. Or they'd place their hands on each other's knees, a gesture often classified as a physical humiliation ritual in non-verbal communication studies. But what stands out most in this almost operatic power play drama is the classic handshake where Macron crushed Trump's hand so hard that it probably damaged the carpal tunnels in Trump's welcoming hand.
So far, Macron is the transatlantic handshake marathon champion. No surprise there, given that Macron only feels humiliated by one hand: his wife's. Friedrich Merz's hand, too, has been assertive at times, to say the least, not the hand itself, of course, but the woman. Coworkers of the educational TV startup "heute show" can attest to that.
In Washington, Charlotte Merz kept a low profile this week. In her absence, Lutz van der Horst was no longer around, and there was no need for her to defend herself. The key to Merz and Trump's rapport was in harmony. Trump and Merz flirted each other into a kind of peace-and-harmony trance, which even the accompanying German reporters couldn't help but acknowledge in awe. Not a few of them had likely arrived at the White House with high hopes for some embarrassing moments from the Chancellor's side.
Politics - Test in the White House: Merz barely got a word in, "a certain compliment"
A long service trip with a disappointing outcome for Merz's critics. Friedrich Merz managed to pull the erratic Trump to his side, presented himself as a reliable partner, and succeeded in putting Trump into chatty mode.
During the surpisingly lengthy 40-minute public appearance, Trump talked a lot, but mainly to praise the new Merz-led Germany as a shining example of efficiency. For example, he reportedly said he planned to adopt some fundamental changes from the Germans.
Does Donald Trump sleep in Merz pajamas?
Friedrich Merz's success at the presidential palace was no fluke. He had prepared meticulously for the tête-à-tête, studies show. But while the Germans might not want to emulate Trump's presidency, his sales numbers, or his punctuality statistics, the conclusion remains: High stakes were placed on a Merz fiasco alongside the unpredictable ego-driven politician Donald Trump, but Merz came out on top. In the game of politics, the bank always wins - whether it's blackjack or international diplomacy.
Source: ntv.de
Special Notes:
- Donald Trump
- Friedrich Merz
- Washington DC
- Diplomacy
Enrichment Data:
- The meeting between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump in Washington had a mixed impact on their relationship and Germany's standing with the US.
- Key points discussed included avoidance of confrontation, differences on Ukraine, defense spending, trade, and economic relations.
- Maintaining a positive atmosphere and diplomatic relations were emphasized during the talk, but underlying differences in strategic interests remained.
- Trump's decision to maintain troops in Germany and express optimism about a trade deal are positive signs for strengthening economic and military ties between the two countries. However, the differences on Ukraine highlight ongoing challenges.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft budget concerning the diplomatic discussions between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Donald Trump in Washington DC. This political event has been widely covered in general-news media, with some analysts suggesting that the positive outcome of these talks could impact Germany's relationships in the Western world.
