A theory as to why hero worshipping is a phenomenon, is that someone who is deemed to be innovative and useful could pass on the know how to the group in order to collectively survive and thrive. And from my observation, a dark parallel applies to "villain" worshipping. Like, someone who is already brazenly and unashamedly corrupt is still fawned over upon. Deep down, the supporters must be thinking "Impressive. How are they getting away with it? What are they doing that I could also do, to get away with such shameless act?"

Article translation to English:

It is "in the interest of the United States and Europe" that the European Union be dissolved". That is what Nile Gardiner, director of the European branch of the Heritage Foundation, says to Nieuwsuur. That conservative think tank is known as the main shaper of the policies of US President Donald Trump's second term.

The Trump administration supports "movements and political leaders in Europe" who are "pro-American and believe that Europe should take a different direction," Gardiner says. This concerns leaders of Italy, Poland and Hungary, who see the conservative thinker as "important allies."

In February, Vice President J.D. Already sharply criticized Europe. This summer , further indications came to light that the U.S. is out on a change of power.

According to the new U.S. security strategy, which was published this month, Europe is in danger of "losing its civilization through immigration and the disappearance of national identities." The document praises nationalist parties "who want to preserve the individual character and history of European countries" and supports patriotic parties in their struggle to dismantle the EU from within.

In response, European Commissioner for Human Rights called on Michael O'Flaherty to take courage against US criticism of the EU. European heads of government reacted remarkably little. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was fierce and called the plan "unacceptable and unacceptable."

The chairman of the committee in the European Parliament that maintains contact with the US called the security strategy "a frontal attack on the EU." The words of the White House, according to him, amount to interference in European elections. 'Warning for Europe'

From right-wing parties, there is also a positive reaction to the American policy paper. Member of the European Parliament Mieke Andriese (PVV) calls it a "clear strategic warning for Europe" this week. "Mass immigration threatens our European identity."

Member of the European Parliament Sander Smit (BBB), a member of a committee for strengthening European democracy, can also agree with parts of the American criticism. "BBB does not support the abolition of the EU, but believes that the EU urgently needs internal reforms because of a democratic deficit, diminishing legitimacy and too much bureaucracy," he tells Nieuwsuur. Read his entire response here.

Nile Gardiner is now going a step further with his plea for the abolition of the EU. "I don't see any future scenario where Europe is better off with the survival of the European Union than without."

There are "deep-rooted concerns in the US capital Washington about what is seen as the suppression of freedom of expression within the European Union," says Gardiner. The EU would have too much power over the member states.

The conservative thinker points, among other things, to the fines that the European Commission handed out to the social medium X, owned by tech billionaire and ex-Trump adviser Elon Musk. The fines totalled 120 million euros and were imposed for violations of an internet law. With these types of "attacks on U.S. tech companies," the EU would undermine US security.

Moreover, the Union would not listen to the voice of the people and restrict the power of right-wing radical parties such as the AfD. And the EU would open the gates for mass migration. Gardiner fears the increasing influence of Islam. "All this makes the EU doomed." 'Europe reacts too weakly'

According to the leading Irish researcher Judy Dempsey (Carnegie Institute), the European Union is responding too weakly and too slowly to the Trump administration's lashing out. "The Europeans don't look at themselves, but just say: don't you dare criticize our democracy."

Dempsey, who is researching international relations, argues that the EU does not use its large internal market sufficiently as a geopolitical instrument. "The EU is not confident and knows how to sell itself poorly."

Trump is responding to this by politically influencing and dividing Europe, the researcher says. "The idea that a divided EU would be in US favour is at odds with the transatlantic view that has been in place since 1945."

"The weakness of Europeans is that they do not confront far-right populist parties, whether in France, the Netherlands, Germany or Italy."

According to Gardiner, the plan to turn the EU into a defense force clashes with US interests. "This undermines the NATO alliance, while it pulls military resources away," he says. "NATO will hopefully exist for centuries to come, but the EU will eventually disappear."

The U.S. under Trump supports right-wing nationalist parties in Europe that "insist on more sovereignty and self-determination," Gardiner says. He mentions, among others, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish President Karol Nawrocki and the party president of France's Rassemblement National, Jordan Bardella. Gardiner emphasizes that it is about political support; there would be no question of financial aid. Discussion within the Heritage Foundation

The Heritage Foundation is an independent right-wing conservative think tank in Washington. They developed 'Project 2025', policy proposals that the government is now implementing. Nile Gardiner is the director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, the European branch of The Heritage Foundation.

The extreme course that the Heritage Foundation has been pursuing since this year leads to ideological discussions within the institute: in recent weeks, some fifteen employees left the institute. Disagreements included stopping support for Ukraine and the controversial tariff policy that President Trump is pursuing. Heritage director Kevin Roberts also initially refused to condemn statements by the far-right, anti-Semitic influencer Nick Fuentes.

Discussions on Reddit about the Heritage Foundation with one saying that the think tank was founded by former Nazis or at least has remote connections to Nazis.

A new global review argues that many “transition” projects touted by oil and gas companies, such as hydrogen hubs, biofuels, or carbon capture and storage, are doing more to lock in the fossil economy than to wind it down.

Drawing on 48 environmental conflict cases across continents, researchers from ICTA-UAB and the University of Sussex examined a range of fossil fuel “transition” initiatives.

The team found that these projects often fall short of climate goals, deepen environmental injustice, and entrench the political power of the very companies driving the crisis.

The authors argue this isn’t a sideshow – it’s the strategy. By coupling new “low carbon” facilities to existing refineries, pipelines, and gas-fired power stations, companies can justify running legacy assets for decades.

The proposed H2Med pipeline from Barcelona to Marseille is emblematic: marketed for hydrogen, it could also carry fossil gas, extending the life of old networks under a green banner.

In practice, many projects operate as add-ons: “blue” hydrogen dependent on fossil methane; biofuels that displace forests or food; offsets that permit ongoing emissions elsewhere.

It seems to be a pitfall of the thinking "it can't happen here."

I'm non-American myself but I am an Asian who immigrated to Europe. The news and social media here show the US imploding under Trump regime. My cousin immigrated to the US, but I am surprised that he doesn't know about the wanton ICE arrests and harassment of anyone who is of foreign origin, even white foreigners and tourists. Initially, he said that "only illegals are getting arrested", but was equally surprised or nonplussed when I told him about what is happening. Well, he's already there, and I did tell him to be careful just in case.

Maybe I should not be surprised because news in my home country generally put the US in pedestal. Since the end of World War II, people feel like we owe the US a lot after being liberated from Japanese occupation, even though we ourselves were formerly a US colony. So, the local media tend to portray the US as a pristine and perfect society. But my compatriots residing in the US say it is overrated, depending where you are, because of rampant homelessness, no social welfare and worsening cost of living crisis. Now, that I think about it, the local media never really portrayed those about the US when I was growing up. Of course, US is still miles ahead than any given developing country in terms of standard of living, but still overrated I understand.

I see this from handful of people who are either immigrants or part of traditionally marginalised backgrounds. It's stupid and pathetic, it reeks of desperation, and you are not going to be spared because bigots don't care.