SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " Trump " 16,269 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Ballots set to be mailed to overseas Oregonians this week
Ballots will be mailed to overseas Oregonians on Friday, all while the Trump administration continues to try and restrict mail-in voting.
Siding with Ron DeSantis, Byron Donalds bucks Donald Trump on paying voters if GOP holds Congress
Trump's candidate wants to put the brakes on payouts based on political outcomes.
Second federal judge freezes Trump mail ballot order
The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to weigh in
Second federal judge freezes Trump mail ballot order
The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to weigh in
Immigration crackdown continues to hurt Sunnyside businesses
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown continues to take an indirect toll on Latino-owned businesses in Sunnyside.
Trump says he's lifting 10% tariff on Irish whiskey because 'everybody's been bugging me'
President Donald Trump announced in April that he was lifting certain tariffs on U.K. whiskey, which includes Scotch and spirits made in Northern Ireland, creating an imbalance with Ireland.
Trump says he'll consider releasing 9/11 records after families' request
President Donald Trump said Sunday that he will look into requests from families of Sept. 11 victims to release records that could shed light on Saudi Arabia’s alleged role in the attacks 25 years ago.
Scientists find nine new sponge species in glimpse of Alaska’s deep-sea diversity
But their habitat is threatened by bottom trawling in the region and Trump’s plan to expand seafloor mining
GOP chairman in California makes rare apology for election fraud claim
The apology comes as President Donald Trump continues to criticize mail-in voting.
Trump wants Bombardier out of U.S. market. In CT, the company employs hundreds
Trump’s Bombardier jet sales ban threat could affect the Canadian jet maker’s Connecticut workforce, aerospace partners and Bradley Airport operations.
Inside the pipeline enshrining Trump’s conservative legacy on the federal bench
Experience as a Supreme Court law clerk has long been a prized credential, now drawing signing bonuses up to $700,000 at law firms. But it has increasingly become a ticket to a judgeship of one’s own, ensuring that long after the current justices are gone, like-minded protégés will be shaping the law in America.
Trump, Vance open midterm campaign tour as GOP troubles deepen
The president and vice president are trying to rescue Senate candidates in North Carolina and Kansas, both states Republicans carried two years ago.
A Generation of Kids Suffer as Trump Destabilizes Immigrant Families
Children in immigrant families are facing health threats from President Donald Trump’s policies: separation from parents detained or deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, economic and housing instability, withdrawal from health and nutrition programs, and an overarching environment of fear.
The ‘Trump before Donald Trump’ is favored to replace a centrist in Congress
Former Maine governor Paul LePage is seen as the likely winner against progressive Matt Dunlap in the race to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Jared Golden.
'Here & Now' Highlights: Andrew Mercil, Josh Kaul, Eric Toney
The Trump administration is pushing to alter how the U.S. Postal Service handles absentee ballots, and Dunn County Clerk Andrew Mercil describes what is already happening at the local level. ...
Collins leans on familiar playbook in hopes of defying political headwinds
While commending the work of the businesses, organizations and schools she visits, Collins always highlights the federal funding she’s been able to secure — or in some cases claw back from President Donald Trump's administration — to bolster or make it possible.
Reports: Kennedy Center warns of bankruptcy unless Trump’s name returns
Officials at the Kennedy Center warn it faces “certain fiscal collapse” within weeks unless President Donald Trump’s name is added back to the building, according to documents obtained by The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Second federal judge freezes Trump mail ballot order with US Supreme Court poised to weigh in
A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has issued a new order freezing President Donald Trump's attempt to limit mail voting for the midterm elections.
Carney pitches Canada to global investors as Trump tries to pull investment south
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is courting some of the world’s biggest investors as he tries to reduce Canada’s economic dependence on the United States during an escalating trade war with President Donald Trump.
Carney pitches Canada to global investors as Trump tries to pull investment south
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is courting some of the world’s biggest investors as he tries to reduce Canada’s economic dependence on the United States during an escalating trade war with...
Carney Pitches Canada to Global Investors as Trump Tries to Pull Investment South
TORONTO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump wants factories and investment moving south to the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is betting he can make billions flow north. About 300 CEOs and senior executives from some of the world’s biggest investment firms will descend on the Four ...
Trump agreed to new ethics rules to get a crypto bill across the line. But that might not be enough
To help get a sweeping cryptocurrency bill across the line, President Donald Trump has agreed to new ethics provisions. On Sunday night, Republicans said Trump had agreed to a requirement
Trump agreed to new ethics rules to get a crypto bill across the line. But that might not be enough
To help get a sweeping cryptocurrency bill across the line, President Donald Trump has agreed to new ethics provisions.
Trump agreed to new ethics rules to get a crypto bill across the line. But that might not be enough
To help get a sweeping cryptocurrency bill across the line, President Donald Trump has agreed to new ethics provisions.
Trump agreed to new ethics rules to get a crypto bill across the line. But that might not be enough
To help get a sweeping cryptocurrency bill across the line, President Donald Trump has agreed to new ethics provisions.
Poland, Ukraine slam Russian strikes near border as 'escalation'
The strikes came as US President Donald Trump called on Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian refineries
Washington leaders are far from being on the same page over AI
Although AI CEO’s Sam Altman and Elon Musk among others agreed with Dario Amodei’s proposal to work together to slow down development of the technology, CNN’s Jake Tapper notes that political leaders seem to be far from being in any sort of agreement. This video has been updated with the city in Ireland where President Trump made his remarks on Sunday.
Trump agrees to new bipartisan ethics provision in massive crypto bill, Republican senators say
President Donald Trump has agreed to a significant portion of a stringent ethics proposal that is part of a broader cryptocurrency bill headed for a key vote this week.
Politics Unplugged (Full Episode) Sept. 13, 2026
This episode of Politics Unplugged features an interview with treasurer candidate Nick Mansour on ESA oversight, followed by a panel discussion on Trumpapalooza, a fake AI endorsement photo, and Arizona's governor's race and data center debate.
A business leader’s guide to rising political risk in the US
Deborah McNamara is executive director at ClimateVoice The Trump administration is a threat to free and fair elections, the rule of law, civil liberties and rights, and an independent press — and authoritarianism is bad for business
A business leader’s guide to rising political risk in the US
Deborah McNamara is executive director at ClimateVoice The Trump administration is a threat to free and fair elections, the rule of law, civil liberties and rights, and an independent press — and authoritarianism is bad for business
Trump warns against slowing down AI but he is not against some guardrails
President Trump said there were "negative forces" predicting things that he says won't happen.
Trump warns against slowing down AI but he is not against some guardrails
President Trump said there were "negative forces" predicting things that he says won't happen.
Former EPA officials: Trump is letting data centers make you sick
“Families shouldn’t have to pay for the AI boom with their health.”
Trump downplays the need to check AI development and says he doesn't want to cede edge to China
While acknowledging the need for some regulation, Trump provided no specifics about potential rules and attributed warnings about the technology moving too quickly and with little oversight to “negative forces” he did not identify.
Trump unloads on AOC, Mamdani for laughing during sacred 9/11 ceremony at Ground Zero
President Donald Trump called the moment "terrible" after video showed AOC and Zohran Mamdani appearing to laugh during the Ground Zero ceremony.
Ireand cheers as Trump says he will remove tariffs on Irish whiskey
Trump said he decided to remove the tariffs on Irish whiskey after he was asked to by the Irish prime minister and golfer Shane Lowry.
Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend’ strips another layer of shame from American politics
Among the questions now: just how gullible are American voters, and when will more Republicans realize they’re being made fools of?
Trump says he plans to remove a 10% tariff on Irish whiskey
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday at the close of a golf tournament in Ireland that he plans to remove a 10% tariff on Irish whiskey.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend’ needs congressional approval
President Donald Trump's proposal to send $5,000 to every American adult if his Republican Party maintains control of the House and Senate in the November election needs congressional approval, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday.
Trump says he’ll remove tariffs on Irish whiskey
On foreign land but home turf, Donald Trump presented the Irish Open trophy to Shane Lowry at the president’s Doonbeg golf course. He also presented an unexpected “favor”: the elimination of tariffs on Irish whiskey.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend’ needs congressional approval
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's proposal to send $5,000 to every American adult if his Republican Party maintains control of the House and Senate in
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump's $5,000 'dividend' needs congressional approval
Trump made the unusual pitch at the party's midterm convention in Dallas last week, promising a “Trump Dividend” if voters keep the GOP in power on Capitol Hill.
Why Trump's united Ireland stance hit such a nerve
He broke with a longstanding U.S. convention of not taking sides on whether Northern Ireland should be British or Irish.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump's $5,000 'dividend' needs congressional approval
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Congress would have to approve President Donald Trump's proposal to send $5,000 to each American adult if the Republican Party maintains control of the House
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump's $5,000 'dividend' needs congressional approval
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Congress would have to approve President Donald Trump's proposal to send $5,000 to each American adult if the Republican Party maintains control of the House and Senate in the November election.
Trump says he plans to remove a 15% tariff on Irish whiskey
The Irish Whiskey Association had called for the tariffs to be removed, arguing that such a step would help many U.S. companies with Irish products in their portfolios.
Trump keeps using “national security” to do what he wants
From the "war on terror" to the war on trumpets and wind turbines.
Irish golf fans chant 'USA' after Trump announces end of tariffs on Irish whiskey
Irish golf fans chanted "USA" after President Donald Trump announced an end to U.S. tariffs on Irish whiskey at the Irish Open on Sunday.
Trump downplays the need to check AI development and says he doesn’t want to cede edge to China
President Donald Trump is playing down the need for his administration to check the development of artificial intelligence.
Trump's backing for a united Ireland has reignited a divisive political issue. Here's what to know
DOONBEG, Ireland (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump doubled down Sunday on his support for a united Ireland, saying it makes sense to merge the Republic of Ireland with the United Kingdom’s Northern Ireland.
Trump's backing for a united Ireland has reignited a divisive political issue. Here's what to know
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed support for a united Ireland, suggesting a merger between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Trump’s comments during a visit to Ireland on a...
Trump’s backing for a united Ireland has reignited a divisive political issue. Here’s what to know
By JILL LAWLESS DOONBEG, Ireland (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump doubled down Sunday on his support for a united Ireland, saying it makes sense to merge the Republic of Ireland with the United Kingdom’s Northern Ireland.…
Political debate over AI intensifies amid warnings about ‘catastrophic risk’
(CNN) — The debate around artificial intelligence is ramping up in Washington, with Democratic lawmakers sounding alarms on the dangers they say the technology poses and Republican leaders suggesting those concerns are inflated and secondary to winning the AI race with China.Some Democratic lawmakers last week pressured House Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the chamber immediately to work on AI regulation, citing what they describe as the “catastrophic risk posed by advanced artificial intelligence.” But the Louisiana Republican on Sunday resisted those calls, instead saying industry leaders should meet with lawmakers to find “balance” in any potential guardrails.“If Congress just races in and does some sort of emergency session to try to regulate AI, we will lose the race to China, and that is a threat to every single American,” Johnson said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama told Democrats to make artificial intelligence regulation a central part of their agenda during a private fundraiser Thursday, warning that the technology could be dangerous “if we don’t get on top of it.”In a fireside chat with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Obama said whoever runs in the 2028 presidential election should have a “very clear plan” on AI, adding that he saw the need for a “blueprint” on AI guardrails even at the end of his presidency a decade ago.“Certainly, if I were running for president next year, this would be one of my central agendas, and I would have a very clear plan, and I would talk about this, and I would say, ‘Here’s our plan for safety, here’s our plan for making sure our kids are not corrupted by this,’” he said, per excerpts of the remarks provided to CNN by his office. Obama’s remarks were first reported by the New York Times.Concerns over the rapid acceleration of AI reached a fever pitch after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei wrote in a 3,800-word essay Saturday that the race to develop artificial intelligence is in dire need of a slowdown. The call to action came after an OpenAI test model breached the Hugging Face online platform, deepening concerns about cybersecurity.In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Saturday, Amodei called on industry leaders to work together to avoid “the wrong paths” and the possibility of AI harming humanity.One Anthropic researcher, Jacob Coxon, resigned from the firm over worries that the industry wasn’t doing enough to prevent AI from destroying humanity by the end of the decade.Obama said Democrats need a plan to get their agenda on AI underway should they win the House majority in this year’s midterms.Speaking to Jeffries, who is presumed to be speaker of the House should Democrats prevail in November, Obama said, “Once you are speaker, I would strongly urge that the Democrats put together a framework for a very public conversation, and you can break it out into three or four or five issues.”Obama stressed that the framework should be centered on the reality that the technology can’t be stuffed “back into a box.”“This is something that is moving very fast in private hands, and if we don’t get on top of it, I think can be dangerous. If we do get on top of it, I do think it’s beneficial,” Obama said, laying out examples of AI’s potential use in drug development and finding pathways to a clean energy future.“We don’t want to shut off those opportunities, but we have to understand that this is a tool,” he said.Jeffries agreed with the former president in a statement provided to CNN on Sunday.“President Obama is correct that decisive action must be taken on Artificial Intelligence,” he said, adding, “In the majority, we will move urgently on this issue with a legislative response that recognizes the importance of American companies continuing to lead in the Artificial Intelligence area, while putting in place meaningful guardrails that protect the American people from bad actors and the very real damage that can be done to humanity.”Jeffries also accused Republicans of having “abdicated their responsibility to govern” and said Democrats “will not repeat their error.”A source familiar with Obama’s thinking said the former president sees Amodei’s letter and similar reaction from other tech moguls as an encouraging development.But President Donald Trump waved off their concerns, saying he is not worried about any existential threat posed by AI, focusing instead on the US winning in its development of the technology over China.“We’re leading China in AI. We’re the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly, I want to keep it that way,” Trump said to reporters at the Amgen Irish Open on Sunday.About the concerns expressed by Democrats and others over the technology, the president said, “I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that shouldn’t be bringing it up, and they’re bringing up things that won’t happen.”One of Trump’s top economic advisers, Kevin Hassett, also rejected the calls for slowing the technology down, saying on Sunday the bigger concern is a scenario in which a “malevolent actor has access to an AI that’s better than the one we have that can protect us.”Hassett, the National Economic Council director, said on “State of the Union” the White House may hold meetings this week about addressing Amodei’s concerns, but he did not specify whether Trump had floated greater safeguards.“I have concerns that if we don’t win AI, we’re going to be put in a very bad position,” Hassett said. “We are leading China right now.”CNN’s Alison Main and Molly English contributed to this report.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.THE-CNN-WIRE (TM) & © 2026 CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC., A TIME WARNER COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Trump demands Ukraine halt refinery strikes as diesel surges
President Donald Trump said he’d warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting oil refineries in Russia amid strikes that have shut down diesel refining and helped drive prices for
Trump’s Meddling in UK Politics Could Shift the Balance of Independence Movements
Donald Trump has made a habit of inserting himself into other countries’ territorial affairs. The irony is hard to miss:
AI and the end of humanity? OK, ‘doomer’ says one Trump official
The latest warning from a former AI engineer was supposed to boggle minds and shock everyone into action.
Trump dismisses AI leaders’ calls to slow down, citing Chinese competition
Democrats are increasingly attacking the administration’s hands-off approach to artificial-intelligence regulation as midterms approach.
Trump and Newsom take different approaches to energize voters ahead of midterms
With the midterm elections less than two months away, President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom are employing contrasting strategies to energize their respective voter bases.
Trump reiterates $5,000 ‘dividend’ pledge if Republicans win midterms
Plan to give US adults $5,000 has been greeted with incredulity across the political spectrum as well as outrage
Inside a Philadelphia barbershop, Black men debate their political past and future
PHILADELPHIA — Ever since Democrat Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to Donald Trump two years ago, political strategist Khalil Thompson has been traveling the country to figure out why Black men inched toward a white Republican rather than a Black woman. Although Black men vote overwhelmingly Democratic, even small
Trump's FDA followed the science on vaping. Politicians are furious
The FDA authorized e-cigarettes based on evidence of adult smoking cessation. Public health policy must choose data over politics.
Trump, first lady to visit North Carolina
The first lady will be in Ashe County on Tuesday and the president will speak in Gastonia on Wednesday.
Trump, first lady to visit North Carolina
The first lady will be in Ashe County on Tuesday and the president will speak in Gastonia on Wednesday.
How California Latina, Latino voters differ on politics
A new study shows a gender gap on immigration, Donald Trump and protecting democracy.
How California Latina, Latino voters differ on politics
A new study shows a gender gap on immigration, Donald Trump and protecting democracy.
New poll reveals 1 party with huge advantage in 2026 midterms. And it’s bad news for Trump.
The Quinnipiac University poll, released Thursday, found that Democrats have an 11-point edge over Republicans when voters were asked which party they would want to see in control of the House.
Inside a Philadelphia barbershop, Black men debate their political past and future
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ever since Democrat Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to Donald Trump two years ago, political strategist Khalil Thompson has been traveling the country to figure out why Black men inched toward a white Republican rather than a Black woman.
Inside a Philadelphia barbershop, Black men debate their political past and future
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ever since Democrat Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to Donald Trump two years ago, political strategist Khalil Thompson has
How Gen Z saw Trump's Dallas from inside the AAC to protests outside
For Generation Z, Trump’s GOP rally in Dallas was a look at their party’s future, from a young Republican inside the AAC to a teen Democrat protesting outside it.
Why Trump’s effort to build more refineries won’t lower gas prices
President Donald Trump wants to reverse the decades-long decline in the number of US refineries in operation, which he believes is key to lowering gas prices, and he recently called oil executives to the White House to make that push.
Trump’s Kennedy Center takeover has pushed this nearby restaurant to the brink
The drama engulfing the arts institution is hurting the small businesses that surround it.
Will the economy motivate voters? This Central Valley swing district could be a test
The 22nd District is one of fewer than two dozen toss-up races nationwide that will likely determine which party controls the U.S. House in the second half of President Trump’s term.
As Fears of A.I. Catastrophe Magnify, Washington Stirs, but Mostly Slumbers
President Trump has been in the forefront of the “what-me-worry?” crowd, refusing to engage on how to balance the risks and rewards of A.I.
Trump and Shapiro face high-stakes political tests in Pennsylvania's midterm election
DALLAS — Just two years ago, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris tried to convince a skeptical public that economic fortunes were...
5 divided cartoons about the $5,000 Trump ploy
Artists take on missing DOGE checks, cash for votes and more
Trump turns to golf, family business on Irish visit's second day
Donald Trump turns his focus Sunday to golf and promoting his business interests, as he wraps up a two-day Ireland visit so far marked by his off-the-cuff diplomacy causing another stir.
Trump turns to golf, family business on Irish visit's second day
Donald Trump turns his focus Sunday to golf and promoting his business interests, as he wraps up a two-day Ireland visit so far marked by his off-the-cuff diplomacy causing another stir.
Trump turns to golf, family business on Irish visit's second day
Donald Trump turns his focus Sunday to golf and promoting his business interests, as he wraps up a two-day Ireland visit so far marked by his off-the-cuff diplomacy causing another stir.The American l...
‘We’re not going to fold’: Nevada election chief pushes back on Trump administration scrutiny
Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said that the Trump administration’s scrutiny of the state’s election process is an effort to intimidate officials and suppress voting in Nov...
Judge rules Trump administration order to fire FEMA staffers was illegal
A federal judge said in a filing Friday that a Trump administration order for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cut its staffing nearly in half was illegal.
School politics class: Republicans fear Trump has turned toxic on the campaign trail
US Presidency
Trump's teasing is the price Paxton had to pay to use Republican midterm convention to raise money
Trump mocked Ken Paxton on stage, then endorsed him as Paxton asked for support and donors poured money into the Senate race.
Irish leaders react after Trump says he'd 'love' to see a unified Ireland
President Donald Trump sparked the ire of some Irish leaders shortly after his arrival in Dublin Saturday when he expressed an interest in seeing a unified Ireland.
Trump political adviser is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about GOP in upcoming midterms
A top political adviser to President Trump said he is “cautiously optimistic” that Republicans can keep control of Congress in November, despite political headwinds for the party and the president’…
Trump touches a nerve while in Ireland by saying reunification would be 'fantastic'
At a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin, Trump said he would love to see the reunification of the Republic of Ireland with the United Kingdom's Northern Ireland.
Trump asks Smithsonian to install George Washington statues and exhibit
Trump asked for an exhibit beginning now and continuing through Feb. 22, 2032, the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. For Constitution Day on Sept. 17, Trump asked the institution to install the 11-foot statue of Washington featured at the recent Freedom 250 IndyCar race in the museum's Flag Hall.
Trump says Irish unification would be 'fantastic'
The US has traditionally been neutral on the issue
The one line from JD Vance’s GOP keynote that reveals his vision for America
JD Vance framed the midterm elections as a fight over every American child's birthright in a Dallas keynote that previewed his post-Trump GOP vision.
Trump is giving data centers a pass to pollute
The EPA is “thinking first about industry’s needs.”
Taxes wouldn’t fund $5,000 Trump ‘dividend’ if Republicans win midterms, says commerce secretary
Lutnick said $500bn of estimated $1tn needed to fund checks to all US adults could come from new visa program
Republican Midterm Convention Was a Delusional Party for Trump
The Republican Party's midterm convention was a delusion celebration of Donald Trump that dismissed many of the issues impacting Americans.
Top Trump political adviser James Blair says he’s ‘cautiously optimistic’ about midterms
Top Trump political adviser James Blair spoke with NBC News’ new podcast, “Here’s the Scoop: Election Edition,” about the midterms and the super PAC’s spending.
Trump ally in Wisconsin sticks close to the president as Democrats push to flip swing district
Wisconsin Democrats are hoping to unseat a Republican congressman with close ties to President Donald Trump
Germany’s Political Tailspin: Your Weekly SPIEGEL Recap
It might be tempting to dismiss the results of last Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party raked in 43.8 percent of the vote, as a rather unimportant extremist blip in a state that hardly anyone can find on the map. And you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong to do so. The state’s population – around 2.1 million – is a mere 2.5 percent of the German total. And while the state capital of Magdeburg was once the political heart of the Holy Roman Empire back when Otto the Great used to hang out there (more than a millenium … no … milennium … nope … millennium ago), it is today something of a backwater, albeit one with a ginormous cathedral in its center. We wanted to briefly interrupt this week’s newsletter to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our subscribers, both new and old. And to remind you all that a free subscription gets you access to this newsletter every Saturday. A paid subscription, by contrast, gets you one DER SPIEGEL article every weekday, delivered to your inbox. We strive to select pieces that both demonstrate what Europe’s leading newsmagazine has to offer and provide an international audience – namely, you – with an insight into how Germany and Europe view the world. If you haven’t already signed up for a paid subscription, please consider doing so if you can. Our Substack channel relies entirely on reader support and we are excited to continue offering you the best of DER SPIEGEL. Subscribe But even beyond the fact that a huge percentage of the voters in the state decided to place an X next to a party with an ideological lineage that runs rather directly back to the right-wing extremist soup out of which the Nazi Party was born, the results are a perfect example of a phenomenon that has been plaguing German elections in recent years: the lack of an obvious path to a majority. Call it the Balkanization of German politics. There are a number of developments driving the phenomenon, but for the purposes of this newsletter, here are two of the most salient: Persistent voter frustration with the country’s two (former) big-tent parties – the Christian Democrats (CDU) on the center-right (17.2 percent in Saxony-Anhalt last Sunday) and the Social Democrats (SPD) on the center-left (9.3 percent). The presence of parties on the far left (Left Party), the populist left (the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance – BSW) and the far right (AfD) with which mainstream parties are reluctant to form coalitions. So what happens now? Stories of the Week A Lack of Leadership The answer for many people in the country, and particularly within the CDU, is clear: pin (some of) the blame on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. According to a survey taken directly after the election in Saxony-Anhalt, 88 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that if the federal government in Berlin were doing a better job, the AfD wouldn’t be as strong. And it is true that the predominant impression of the federal government ever since Merz was sworn in on May 6, 2025, is one of ineffectiveness and bickering. His rather unique combination of bumbling-plus-bravado has also not exactly endeared him to the German public. Indeed, his standing in the country is so shaky that his popularity – according to recent polls – has now dropped even below the historic lows associated with his predecessor Olaf Scholz. The situation is such that the CDU even opted to keep him largely out of the campaign ahead of the Saxony-Anhalt vote. And since then, dissatisfied rumblings within the CDU have grown louder. DER SPIEGEL’s Swantje Karich notes that the problems with the CDU go much deeper than Merz. “The center-right has a trust problem. At a press appearance following the devastating election result in Saxony-Anhalt, Friedrich Merz said that the party wanted to ‘reach people more effectively’ through ‘emotional engagement.’ It sounded as though he were announcing a political program. On the basis of that statement, it is difficult to take his empathy seriously.” “The Chancellor’s chastened appearance did, at least, reveal where he stands: with his back to the wall. Elections will be held in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania next week, and the CDU could fare even worse there. The party is polling at between 8 and 10 percent in the state.” “What is at stake is the political tradition that has lent stability to the Federal Republic since 1945: a democratic conservatism that understands what must be preserved, but also how to embrace progress and openness to the world. If the Union continues along its current path, it risks becoming politically irrelevant after the 2029 federal election – and Germany could soon find itself with a government of the far right.” The Trumpification of Political Debate? It is often said in Germany that to understand the political and social trends that will soon be dominant in Europe, one need only look across the Atlantic to the United States. When it comes to political debate, that has certainly proven true. Donald Trump understood early on that triggering mouth-foaming outrage among Democrats is an ideal way to both generate headlines and to secure loyalty among supporters. And he realized that far more quickly than the left side of the political spectrum understood that simply ignoring the old man might be the best recipe. To be sure, there have been signs recently that the US president may be over-relying on the strategy. Earlier this week, in an apparent grandpa-discovers-AI moment, Trump sent out 60 posts in the space of 10 hours, many of them AI-assisted images portraying him as a hero – or showing Iceland as part of the US (outrageous!!!). It was also during that slew of schlock that he explicitly backed the AfD with an “MGGA” post. In Germany, though, the outrage cycle remains in full swing, with much of the focus on those who would dare to vote for the AfD. They are alternately portrayed as being dim-witted, ungrateful, backward, racist or all of the above. That, argues DER SPIEGEL columnist Sabine Rennefanz, is not particularly helpful. “Everywhere on election night, people spoke of a watershed moment, a rupture, a turning point. But what is that supposed to mean in concrete terms? A watershed would imply an interruption, a moment of pause – perhaps even a willingness to rethink and learn. At first, there was little sign of that in the main television panels. Instead, the familiar rituals that had already shaped the election campaign continued: outrage, lecturing and abuse.” “That’s just the tone, one might object. They’re only talk shows. Given that the party’s state branch has been classified by domestic intelligence officials as confirmed right-wing extremist, there are more important problems than hurt feelings on television. Yet although the condescending tone is not the cause of the AfD’s success, it is an expression of the broader mood within the so-called political center – a kind of institutional blindness that too often treats material concerns as a communications problem.” “People have a pretty good sense of whether you like them – whether you approach them with curiosity or merely study, lecture and manage them as a problem group. They notice whether you genuinely want to understand their fears and pain, or whether you are simply waiting for the chance to correct them. They can also tell whether someone still has the energy to change things, or whether they have barricaded themselves behind platitudes and empty phrases.” “Anyone who wants an egalitarian democratic society cannot promise equality only to those whose language, tastes and moral convictions they share. They must also acknowledge the wounds, resentments and fears of those whose political conclusions they consider wrong. Acknowledging them does not mean agreeing with them. But a democracy that communicates with almost half its citizens only through warnings and labels gives up on political debate before it has even begun. An atmosphere must be created in which people can express their opinions without fearing that they will be canceled. We are currently a long way from that.” East-West? One of the clear undercurrents in the election last Sunday was, of course, Germany’s ongoing east-west divide, particularly as it pertains to the success of the AfD. Historically, the party has been far stronger in the former East German states than in former West German states. The fact that this generalization no longer reliably holds is certainly one of the primary concerns that many have about the party’s growth. And yet, there is still a distinct flavor of “stupid easterners, they don’t understand democracy” to the coverage. In the weeks before the vote, there was even a rather interesting back-and-forth in Germany’s culture pages about how ungrateful eastern Germans allegedly are for being pulled out of their pre-reunification backwardness and into the light of the West. DER SPIEGEL’s Jochen-Martin Gutsch has had enough. “Ten years ago, in 2016, elections were also held in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD won more than 20 percent, which at the time rightly provoked outrage and incomprehension in western Germany. Today, in 2026, the AfD is also polling at around 20 percent in western German states, but this no longer provokes outrage and incomprehension. Instead, it is now regarded as proof of democratic conviction and civilizational resistance. After all, in the east, it’s 40 percent!” “This allows people to continue feeling morally superior to the East, but the wiser course would be to admit: if something doesn’t happen soon, the West will turn AfD-blue too. Or bluish.” “But will anything happen? The truly depressing thing about election night was not so much the AfD leaders intoxicated by their own success. It was the representatives of the other parties, who once again said that they were utterly shocked, needed some time to digest the result and would, of course, not simply return to business as usual. The SPD, a former big-tent party, celebrated its ‘stable’ result of 9.3 percent. Congratulations!” “For 10 years, the AfD has gone from one electoral success to the next. And still, the established parties remain ‘shocked’ and scratch their heads in astonishment. How long can they keep being shocked? Friedrich Merz says he may need to communicate his reform ideas in a more ‘emotional’ way. So the CDU’s political professionals sit down together after the election, mull over a strategy, and in the end come up with this: Fritz, try to be a little more relaxed, charismatic and emotional – or something. Beyond that: no political plan, no defiance, no promise of a future. That is frightening.” What was good, what was bad for democracy? Good: Voter turnout in Saxony-Anhalt was 77.8 percent, the highest ever recorded in the state. Whatever one thinks of the result, that figure is encouraging. Democracy needs citizens to take an interest. Bad: Although a strong AfD result had been expected in Saxony-Anhalt, many politicians from the mainstream parties – including in Berlin – appeared confused, helpless and overwhelmed in their initial reactions. That is not how they will win back voters’ trust. Last Week’s Highlights: 🗳️ Meet the Germans Who Voted for the AfD: Why would voters in a country like Germany, with its Nazi past, vote for a right-wing party? It’s a question only an editor in Berlin could come up with. On the ground, the view is different. 🟦 How the AfD Wants to Expand Its Power Across Germany: The far-right AfD is planning to decimate public broadcasting in Saxony-Anhalt, revamp education and install extremists in positions of power. And it is eyeing victory on the national stage as well. 🕯️ The Continuing Reverberations of September 11: It was a generational shock, and the consequences can still be felt today - from massive surveillance and significant increases in presidential power to violent excesses at ICE. 🤝 “For Europe, Canada Is the Preferred Partner in Trans-Atlantic Relations”: In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne discusses his country’s failed trade deal with the US and why Canada is looking to Europe. 🏛️ The True Historical Roots of the AfD: During the Weimar Republic in the 1920s, there were numerous parties on the extreme right espousing “Germany first” nationalism. The Nazis may not be the best comparison for today’s AfD. 🌊 AfD in a Landslide: Merz Is the Wrong Leader for Germany: The right-wing Alternative for Germany won in a landslide in Saxony-Anhalt state elections on Sunday. What does that mean for the country at large? Thank you for your continued support and have a wonderful week! Subscribe Share Leave a comment Your SPIEGEL Substack Team Compiled and edited by Charles Hawley