'Do Not Back Down': Fukuyama Warns Europe Trump Will Not Stop at Greenland

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: MEDIAite

Jan 19th, 2026, 5:38 pm


Renowned political scientist Francis Fukuyama reacted to President Donald Trump’s latest moves to acquire Greenland and urged Europe to “not back down” to Trump, arguing that he “really needs to be stopped.”

“Over the weekend, Donald Trump announced that he would be imposing a 10 percent tariff on February 1 on eight European countries that had agreed to send forces to Greenland, and that tariffs would be increased to 25 percent by June 1 if they did not agree to support the sale of the island to the United States. Over the past couple of months, there has been a debate over whether Trump was serious about claiming Greenland for himself or just trolling the Europeans. It appears that he is indeed deadly serious,” began Fukuyama, whose book The End of History and the Last Man is considered one of the foundational texts of modern international relations. He continued in a YouTube clip published Sunday:

I want to say this straight out: as an American, I have one thing to say to my many European friends—do not back down in this confrontation. Up to now, both the EU and the major European powers have sought to appease Trump by offering him concessions, flattery, personal gifts, and other forms of tribute. This strategy has not worked and should be abandoned immediately. Donald Trump is fundamentally a bully who wants to dominate everyone around him.

Trying to placate him with concessions is a fool’s errand. He despises weakness and those who display it.

Read more: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/do-not-back-down-fukuyama-warns-europe-trump-will-not-stop-at-greenland/

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Don't back down, Europe: youtu.be/SS5Ep3LTqnE

— Francis Fukuyama (@frankfukuyama.bsky.social) 2026-01-19T01:40:05.029Z

Link to tweet

Francis Fukuyama
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Europe: Don't Back Down
Donald Trump's threats to use tariffs to compel Europe to support US acquisition of Greenland must be strongly resisted. Appeasement of Trump demonstrably d...
8:39 PM · Jan 18, 2026

[fujiyamasan]

1. He's right

But he better watch out for ICE!

[Baitball Blogger]

2. It's the truth.

As long as there is no push back from abroad, the Republicans will continue to support him..

[mwooldri]

3. The UK should just take his golf courses.

Just do it.

Make it personal.

[Callie1979]

5. Oh the Scottish "crown jewel" of trump land! Nationalize it He's a terrorist.

Seize his assets.
Bulldoze it
And build their OWN resort

[lastlib]

4. I have the same message to Americans:

DO. NOT. BACK. DOWN! DO. NOT. APPEASE!! HE. WON'T. STOP.

RESIST. with all your strength and ability!

[lonely bird]

6. I guess history isn't over

Sorry for the snark.

Yes, stand up to Trump. Post how much European countries have pulled in from tariffs on U.S. goods. Lie about it and inflate it just like Trump. He only responds to two things: as skidding and a punch in the face. If the punch is delivered correctly, perhaps even just threatened, he backs down.

He is a severely emotionally damaged person who is also cognitively declining. That makes him dangerous so responses must be well thought out.

[groundloop]

7. But what about EPSTEIN ?!?!?!

As long as the world is talking about his insane demands the media hasn't uttered a single solitary word about Epstein.

Coincidence? I think not.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. "the media hasn't uttered a single solitary word about Epstein."

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143601358



I would agree that Epstein updates should be more hyperbolic to rise above the noise of the lunatic 45 rants, because when it IS posted about, it gets a yawn... :

[Miguelito Loveless]

9. The EU needs to start imposing sanctions NOW!

Stop buying any US weapon system, cancel all future procurements, sanction US businesses aided Child Rapist Trump's fascist regime. And just to show they mean business and wake up the fascist enablers on Wall Street, sell off 5% o their US debt holdings, with a promise to stop buying any future US debt until someone sane replaces the Rapist in Chief.

[Grins]

10. "...fundamentally a bully."

Been saying it since 2015. New Yorkers - far longer!

[Evolve Dammit]

11. Europe: Don't be Neville Chamberlains. Or as Newsome stated: "Get a spine."

[colorado_ufo]

12. Venezuela was the toe in the door. Now Greenland is the foot.

If he takes Greenland, he will push the door wide open to Panama next, then Cuba, then Canada. Meanwhile, there is a total disruption of NATO.

With him, it is a race against time, due to his failing health, so expect major aggression.

[Bluetus]

13. Newsom gave essentially the same message today

The reporters Newsom spoke with seemed completely clueless to the threats that they all face.

[fujiyamasan]

14. This is the frustrating thing

Many of those abroad still look at him as a joke, while forgetting how dangerous he is and how much worse he can potentially be.

I’ve spoke with relatives and others in other countries, and they really don’t get it. People are people, and in general they’re pretty greedy and stupid regardless of where they’re from.

[Bluetus]

15. Or apathetic

In the US, as long as football games are on (even when they have to pay hundreds of dollars a year for streaming subscriptions) many millions are anesthetized into apathy and civics. They figure people are always arguing about politics and everything got by without their help before, so why change?

[MustLoveBeagles]

16. K&R