German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has caused consternation at home and abroad by meeting up with California governor – and potential Democratic presidential candidate – Gavin Newsom on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
“German Government embraces Gavin Newsom. Quite possibly the biggest Merz gaffe to date,” US Special Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell wrote on X yesterday.
Grenell, formerly the US ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2020 during US President Donald Trump’s first term, is considered instrumental in shaping opinions of Germany in the Trump administration.
Previously, Merz had met with Newsom in Munich and posted about it on the Chancellor’s official account on X.
Merz wrote: “The transatlantic partnership is valuable. In times of great powers, we will depend on mutual trust. Gavin Newsom and I agree: Together we are stronger. NATO is our shared competitive advantage.”
Die transatlantische Partnerschaft ist kostbar. In Zeiten der Großmächte werden wir auf das gegenseitige Vertrauen angewiesen sein. @GavinNewsom und ich sind uns einig: Zusammen sind wir stärker. Die NATO ist unser gemeinsamer Wettbewerbsvorteil. pic.twitter.com/tGiYsjuoa2
— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) February 14, 2026
Newsom is currently one of the frontrunners of the US Democrats for the 2028 presidential elections. Merz’ much-publicised meeting with him was therefore construed by many as a snub to the current Republican administration of Trump.
Merz’s opening speech at the Munich Security Conference on February 13 also contributed to his impression as some of the Chancellor’s remarks were also construed as criticism of Trump.
Merz said: “We Europeans are taking our precautions. In doing so we are coming to different conclusions than the administration in Washington,” later adding: “The claim of the US to leadership is being challenged, maybe it has been squandered already.”
German opposition politicians also criticised Merz for his meeting with Newsom.
Right-wing MP Maximilian Krah from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party said on X yesterday: “Even with one day’s reflexion: Merz is remarkable stupid – just as the entire German foreign policy establishment, apparently.”
Frauke Petry, a former AfD MP and founder of a new “Libertarian” party, echoed the sentiment, writing on X the same day: “If Merz was at least an anti-Trumper with depth. Unfortunately, both his gestures (with Newsom) and his speeches are an intellectual insult.”
Political pundit Rainer Zitelmann also questioned Merz’s reasoning behind the meeting with Newsom, writing on X, also yesterday: “Just because someone is against Trump does not necessarily make them a competent politician.
“And Newsom certainly does not qualify. Why is Merz promoting him? How does this benefit our country? Merz is critical of Milei but he is quite fond of left-wing politicians such as Lula and Newsom.”
