Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed dismay over Donald Trump’s resounding victory in the 2024 presidential race, describing the outcome as “sad.”
In an interview with Der Spiegel, ahead of the release of her memoir, Merkel reflected on the implications of Trump’s win for global diplomacy, saying it struck a chord with her.
“If someone in politics does not allow for win-win situations, but only ever recognizes winners and losers, then that is a very difficult task for multilateralism,” Merkel explained, reiterating her long-standing concerns about Trump’s leadership style, dating back to his first presidency in 2016.
Merkel emphasized the critical role of politics in balancing the interests of ordinary citizens and the powerful, expressing particular unease over the close ties between Trump and influential tech billionaires like Elon Musk. She called Musk’s influence a “huge concern,” citing his dominance in space technology and his new role in Trump’s administration as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency. This department, which aims to reshape government structures, has raised eyebrows internationally.
“If someone like him [Musk] owns 60% of all satellites orbiting in space, then that has to be a huge concern for us in addition to the political issues,” Merkel said, underscoring the unprecedented challenges posed by corporate power intersecting with political influence.
Merkel’s memoir, Freedom: Memories 1954-2021, which was completed before Trump’s re-election, will hit shelves on November 26 in over 30 countries. In December, it will debut in the United States with a launch event featuring former President Barack Obama.
