Germany's response to Donald Trump's 2024 presidential victory was summed up by a one-word headline in Die Zeit: "F---." This reaction from one of the country's leading newspapers captured the shock and anxiety felt by many Germans who fear the global ramifications of Trump's policies on alliances and European security. The article, published shortly after Trump's win was announced, described the atmosphere as Germans stayed awake through the night, unable to sleep, anxiously following the results. According to NPR, the dismay among German readers reflected concerns that the U.S. would resume its unpredictable foreign policies under Trump.
Nele Pollatschek, the article's author, conveyed the mood, writing, "Half past five is also a perfectly appropriate time for feeling helpless, for feeling sorry for yourself, for panicking and for sheer horror." Pollatschek went on to capture a shared sentiment of unease, noting that many Germans feel "powerless" as American elections impact European stability and security.
