# Trump weakening Europe, says French presidential candidate

> Raphaël Glucksmann attacks Trump's Russia policy and warns of far-right threat to European security.
- Title: Trump weakening Europe, says French presidential candidate
- Summary: Raphaël Glucksmann attacks Trump's Russia policy and warns of far-right threat to European security. French presidential candidate Raphaël Glucksmann called…
- Keywords: raphaël glucksmann, marine le pen, france presidential election 2027, donald trump, russia, ukraine, european defense, european security, politics, world, Trump, weakening
- Source: POLITICO — https://politico.eu/article/us-donald-trump-either-a-useful-idiot-or-purposefully-weakening-europe-says-mep-raphael-glucksmann
- Published: 2026-10-13T13:06:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: raphaël glucksmann, marine le pen, france presidential election 2027, donald trump, russia, ukraine, european defense, european security, politics, world
## Glucksmann attacks Trump over Russia
French presidential candidate Raphaël Glucksmann slammed Trump's decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports as benefiting the Kremlin at Europe's expense.
## Trump is useful idiot or agent
At POLITICO's Competitiveness Summit in Paris, Glucksmann said there is at the head of the United States someone who is either a useful idiot or an agent of the destruction of European strength and freedom.

> someone who is either a useful idiot or an agent of the destruction of European strength and freedom
## Le Pen victory would serve Putin
Glucksmann insisted that sending far-right rival Marine Le Pen to the Elysée Palace in twenty twenty-seven would be a victory for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and a step toward the defeat of the European continent.
## Le Pen leads French race by double digits
Le Pen currently boasts a double-digit lead over her competitors for the first round of next year's presidential election, according to POLITICO's Poll of Polls. Glucksmann is in fourth place.
## Europe must build sovereign defense
Glucksmann doubled down on support for a European Sky Shield for Ukraine and a more robust, sovereign European defense industry, saying Europe delegated security to Washington for decades and now realizes that was a mistake.

> we have delegated our sovereignty and our security to Washington, and we are now realizing what a mistake that was
## Joint defense debt needed
Glucksmann said Europe should take on joint debt to fund defense projects instead of member-state-to-member-state projects like the failed Franco-German next-generation fighter jet.Without joint investment, no European countries will face the war of the future.

> It's a life or death question
## Glucksmann backs student protests
With the presidential campaign under way, Glucksmann said recent high school student protests over lack of substitute teachers, overcrowded classrooms and run-down schools are perfectly legitimate and justified, and argued that teachers are underpaid.
## Key takeaway

French presidential candidate Raphaël Glucksmann called Trump either a useful idiot or agent of European destruction over easing Russian diesel export restrictions, and warned that electing Marine Le Pen would be a victory for Putin.