US Election Trump’s Victory

Analysis: Time for Europe’s “Trump Whisperer” to Take Over the EU’s Steering Wheel

As both France and Germany grapple with serious political crises, eyes are on Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, writes Paul Taylor in The Guardian.

Tusk has managed to maintain good relations with both the US and the EU, which is a good starting point when Poland takes over the EU presidency in January. This will give Tusk great influence over the EU’s handling of Trump’s return to the White House and his response to his threat of new tariffs.

“Tusk seems better suited than other European leaders to make an impression as Europe’s “Trump Whisperer” and try to keep a troubled EU united on support for Ukraine,” writes Taylor.

However, the fact that the presidency coincides with the Polish presidential election in May may force Tusk to shift focus from Brussels, wrote Barbara Moens in an analysis in Politico earlier in December. At home, he faces “the critical task of securing a favorable successor to incumbent Andrzej Duda.”

Trump Supports Johnson: “Hardworking and Religious”

Donald Trump is giving his “full and total support” to Republican Mike Johnson to remain as Speaker of the House, reports the Washington Post.

“Johnson is a good, hardworking, religious man. He will do the right thing,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

After the battle over the temporary budget deal in Congress earlier in December, support for Johnson took a hit. Republicans in Congress have said for weeks that Trump will have the final say on whether Johnson keeps the Speaker’s gavel or is replaced.