In a twist of political irony, President Donald Trump’s clashes with foreign officials have inadvertently given those leaders a new lease on political life, according to a new Wall Street Journal report.
In a recent example, the Journal reported Wednesday that Trump’s push to annex Greenland may have helped Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and “probably saved her political life.”
Frederiksen’s Social Democrats were facing their worst election result in over a century, polling at a dismal 21%. But when Trump reignited his Greenland annexation threats in January, that changed. The Danish PM immediately shot up 5 percentage points, transforming a political liability into a rallying cry for national unity.
“She swiftly called an election, slated for next week, where she will seek a third term,” the Journal noted.
The international darling who championed Ukraine aid and pushed NATO allies to strengthen their defenses suddenly became a homegrown hero. By standing firm against Trump’s bullying tactics, Frederiksen rebranded herself as a defender of Danish sovereignty rather than a struggling incumbent losing voter support.
And she’s not alone.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pulled off a similar feat, securing a turnaround victory by running directly against Trump’s threats to Canadian sovereignty. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also capitalized on anti-Trump sentiment, despite warnings of trade retaliation.
“Riding the anti-Trump effect for domestic gain is becoming increasingly popular among Western leaders,” the report said.
High-school teacher Sidsel Wiis said of the Danish PM: “We are a tiny country, but she is a strong leader. He can’t push her over, he can’t cut a deal with her.”
Frederiksen echoed that sentiment at a town hall.
“Denmark and Greenland stood firm and refused to be blown over by the most powerful man in the world,” Frederiksen said. “We are going to need more of that in the future.”
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