Munich, February 15, 2025 – The Europe Today: U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a striking speech at the Munich Security Conference, sharply criticizing European leaders for fearing their own voters and undermining democratic values while silencing opposing voices under the guise of combating “disinformation.”
Vance’s remarks sparked significant controversy in Europe, with journalists later questioning President Donald Trump at a press conference in the Oval Office about whether the EU elites held a fundamentally different worldview.
“I thought his speech was very well received, actually. I’ve heard very good remarks,” Trump responded, calling it “a very brilliant speech.” He further warned, “Europe has to be careful.”
Addressing concerns over freedom of expression, Trump echoed Vance’s sentiments, stating, “In Europe, they’re losing their wonderful right of freedom of speech.”
During his speech, Vance argued that Europe’s greatest threat comes from within, rather than from external actors like Russia or China. He expressed deep concern over the continent’s departure from its core democratic values, citing the annulment of Romania’s presidential election as an example.
The U.S. vice president accused EU elites of ignoring the widening gap between their policies and public opinion, using censorship as a tool to suppress dissenting voices under the pretext of fighting “misinformation.”
Vance also acknowledged that censorship efforts have not been limited to Europe. “Sometimes, the loudest voices for censorship have come not from within Europe, but from within my own country,” he said, referring to the previous U.S. administration’s pressure on social media platforms to censor so-called misinformation.
He further criticized entrenched political interests for using Soviet-era rhetoric like “misinformation and disinformation” to stifle alternative viewpoints.
“In Washington, there is a new sheriff in town. And under Donald Trump’s leadership, we may disagree with your views, but we will fight to defend your right to express them in the public square,” Vance asserted.
