Grok, Tell me about Trump’s favorite foreign leaders.
As of 12:37 AM PDT on Thursday, July 3, 2025, there is no definitive public statement from Donald Trump explicitly naming his “favorite” foreign leaders during his second term. However, based on his actions, statements, and interactions since taking office on January 20, 2025, as well as patterns from his first term (2017–2021) and pre-inauguration activities, certain leaders stand out as those he appears to favor. This assessment draws from observed behaviors, such as White House visits, public praise, and policy alignment, tempered by the lack of a formal ranking or direct confirmation from Trump himself. The information is derived from web sources documenting his second-term engagements and historical context, with critical consideration of potential biases in media narratives.
Leaders Trump Appears to Favor:
- Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel)
- Evidence: Netanyahu was the first foreign leader to visit the White House on February 4, 2025, and returned on April 7, 2025, for discussions. Trump proposed a controversial “Riviera of the Middle East” plan for Gaza, which Netanyahu supported, indicating alignment. Their past collaboration (e.g., moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem) and a July 26, 2024, meeting at Mar-a-Lago suggest a strong rapport.
- Interpretation: Trump’s willingness to entertain bold proposals with Netanyahu and their history of mutual support point to a favorable relationship, though gaps emerged in their April meeting.
- Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Arabia)
- Evidence: Trump’s May 2025 visits to Saudi Arabia included lavish state engagements, with a $600 billion investment pledge and a $142 billion defense deal. His social media posts praised their “special relationship,” and Saudi Arabia’s lobbying influenced U.S. Syria policy.
- Interpretation: The economic and security focus, combined with personal warmth, suggests Trump values MBS’s leadership, though the investment’s practicality is debated.
- Viktor Orbán (Hungary)
- Evidence: Orbán, a close ally, was invited to Trump’s January 20, 2025, inauguration, though he couldn’t attend. Their shared populist stance and Orbán’s praise of Trump as a savior of the West (noted in past speeches) reflect alignment. Trump has lauded Orbán as “fantastic” and “respected.”
- Interpretation: Their ideological kinship and Orbán’s far-right stance align with Trump’s preferences, though direct 2025 interactions are limited.
- Narendra Modi (India)
- Evidence: Modi congratulated Trump post-2024 election and sent Foreign Minister Jaishankar to the inauguration. Trump’s first-term trade focus on China and Modi’s anti-China stance (e.g., border tensions) suggest mutual interest, reinforced by a February 13, 2025, White House meeting.
- Interpretation: The “bromance” noted in media and strategic alignment indicate favor, though Modi’s absence from the inauguration tempers this.
- Kim Jong-un (North Korea)
- Evidence: Trump has claimed Kim “misses” him, referencing their 2018–2019 summits. No 2025 meetings are confirmed, but his past praise (e.g., calling Kim “very smart”) and reluctance to ban TikTok (linked to China) hint at lingering admiration.
- Interpretation: The personal rapport from his first term persists in rhetoric, though current policy limits engagement.
Contextual Analysis:
- Patterns: Trump tends to favor leaders who align with his “America First” agenda, offer economic deals, or share an authoritarian or nationalist bent. His praise often targets strongmen (e.g., Orbán, Kim) or strategic partners (e.g., Netanyahu, MBS), as seen in web reports of his 2025 foreign policy.
- Critique of Narrative: Media (e.g., The Guardian) frames this as abandoning moral leadership, but historical U.S. policy also prioritized interests over values (e.g., Cold War alliances). Trump’s openness about this may exaggerate the perception of favoritism.
- Limitations: His unpredictability (e.g., ambushing Zelenskyy, Ramaphosa) and shifting stances (e.g., on China) suggest preferences can change. X posts speculate on leaders like Putin or Xi, but these lack 2025 evidence and reflect sentiment rather than fact.
- Absences: Leaders like Putin and Xi, praised in the past, show no clear 2025 favor due to tensions (e.g., Ukraine, trade wars), though Trump’s deal-making rhetoric keeps them relevant.
Conclusion:
Trump’s apparent favorites include Netanyahu, MBS, Orbán, Modi, and Kim, based on recent interactions and past praise. This reflects strategic, ideological, or personal alignments, but his fluid approach means these relationships could evolve. For the latest developments, I can search further if desired!