U.S. Vice President JD Vance stunned political leaders, military officials, and diplomats at the Munich Security Conference on February 14 with a scathing critique of Europe’s policies on immigration, democracy, and free speech.

Speaking before a high-profile audience in Germany, Vance dismissed concerns about Russian political interference in Europe, aligning himself with President Donald Trump’s stance. Trump had previously criticized U.S. intelligence agencies for alleging that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to boost his candidacy.

Vance went further, accusing European politicians of “instilling fear in their own people” and claiming that Europe’s biggest threat to democracy comes from within.

“The greatest threat to Europe is not Russia, China, or any external force—it is Europe’s retreat from its own fundamental values, the same values that America holds dear,” Vance declared.

Surprisingly, he did not mention Ukraine—arguably the most pressing topic at the Munich conference following Trump’s recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which they discussed launching peace negotiations.

Vance Takes Aim at Europe’s Free Speech and Political Landscape

Instead of addressing Ukraine, Vance attacked the European Union’s (EU) policies on regulating hate speech on social media. He criticized Germany for allegedly targeting individuals over anti-feminist comments, condemned Sweden for prosecuting a Christian activist, and accused the UK of violating religious rights.

“I fear that across Europe, free speech is shrinking,” he warned, expressing support for right-wing and far-right movements on the continent.

Vance specifically called out Romania’s Constitutional Court for overturning the results of its first-round presidential election in December 2024 due to concerns about Russian interference.

“If you are running for office in fear of your own voters, there is nothing America can do to help you,” he said.

The November 24 election saw far-right candidate Călin Georgescu—who has been critical of NATO and opposes Romania’s support for Ukraine—unexpectedly win the first round before the results were annulled.

Vance dismissed concerns about Russian influence in elections, stating:

“You may believe that Russia buying ads on social media is wrong. We believe that too. You may even condemn it on the international stage. But if your democracy can be destroyed by $100,000 worth of ads from a foreign country, then it was never truly strong to begin with.”

Immigration Criticism Sparks Further Outrage

A day after a 24-year-old Afghan man was arrested in Munich for driving a car into a crowd and injuring 36 people, Vance seized the moment to push for a shift in Europe’s immigration policies.

“How many more of these terrible tragedies must we endure before we change course and steer our shared civilization in a new direction?” he asked.

Labeling it a “story we’ve heard too often in Europe, and sadly, too often in America as well,” Vance urged anti-immigration parties in Europe to play a bigger role. His remarks came just nine days before Germany’s general elections, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is projected to achieve its best-ever result, polling around 20%. AfD has received strong backing from billionaire Elon Musk, a Trump ally.

According to German media reports, Vance met with AfD leader Alice Weidel on the sidelines of the conference.

The vice president also took a swipe at Germany’s criticism of Musk’s controversial political statements, urging European leaders to tolerate dissent just as the U.S. has tolerated climate activist Greta Thunberg.

“If American democracy can survive 10 years of Greta Thunberg’s criticism, then surely you can handle a few months of Elon Musk,” he quipped.

Backlash from European Leaders

Vance’s remarks were widely seen as a direct attack on U.S. allies at a time when tensions are already high over disagreements on Ukraine, defense, and trade policies.

Many attendees at the conference were visibly shocked, and some refrained from applauding when Vance concluded his speech.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, speaking after Vance, called the vice president’s rhetoric “unacceptable.”

“His attacks on European nations and endorsement of the far-right are completely out of line,” Pistorius said.

Nathalie Tocci, director of the Italian Institute for International Affairs, accused Vance of distorting democratic language to push a harmful agenda.

“Vance’s attack on European democracy dangerously twists the very principles of democracy itself, reinforcing suspicions that the U.S. administration’s goal is to undermine the EU and liberal democracy in Europe,” Tocci warned.

Trump Backs Vance’s Speech

Back in Washington, President Trump defended his vice president’s remarks, saying he had listened to the speech and found it “absolutely correct.”

“He spoke about free speech, and I think he’s right—Europe is losing its great tradition of free expression. And he spoke about immigration, which is a massive problem for Europe,” Trump told reporters.

Vance’s remarks are likely to deepen divisions between the U.S. and its European allies, adding further uncertainty to the already strained transatlantic relationship.

(Sources: Reuters, AFP)

Hello Shuttle will strive to bring the latest updates. At the end of the day.

Are you looking for reliable airport and cruise port transfer services in Los Angeles?

We offer professional, safe, and punctual transportation from

Los Angeles Airport - LAX

Long Beach Airport - LGB

John Wayne Airport - SNA

San Pedro cruise port

Long Beach cruise port

Disneyland

and other destinations.

Let us make your journey stress-free and comfortable with our dedicated drivers and high-quality vehicles. Book now for the perfect travel experience at www.helloshuttle.com or call 944-800-5678!