On January 21, 2026, AmerikaHaus NRW hosted the event “One Year Trump Administration and the State of Transatlantic Relations”, featuring a discussion with Dr. Andrew B. Denison, Director of Transatlantic Networks, and Prof. Dr. Anke Ortlepp of the Institute of North American History at the University of Cologne. Moderated by Viktoria Harbecke, Director of AmerikaHaus NRW, the event examined key political and societal developments during the first year of the second Trump Administration and their implications for transatlantic relations.

The discussion opened with a reflection on the past year, as the audience was invited to identify the developments they found most striking. Observations ranged from intensified immigration enforcement and the role of ICE, drastic reductions in humanitarian aid spending, the ouster of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, healthcare debates, and concerns about personal enrichment and symbolic politics. Prof. Ortlepp argued that President Trump had returned to office better prepared than during his first term, leading to a further shift of power toward the executive branch, while other institutions had struggled to act as effective counterweights. Dr. Denison noted that although Trump continued to energize the Republican base, tenuous congressional majorities and limited popularity had constrained the administration’s legislative achievements.

The discussion also highlighted broader ideological and cultural shifts against the backdrop of deep polarization. Prof. Ortlepp described the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives as part of a deliberate effort to reshape political norms and build new conservative alliances. Dr. Denison emphasized that culture wars had become a transatlantic and international phenomenon, increasingly mirroring each other in Europe and the United States.

Turning to the future of transatlantic relations, Dr. Denison argued that Europe, and Germany in particular, must assume greater responsibility rather than waiting for U.S. leadership. He stressed that Germany’s geopolitical weight required a clearer and more assertive form of leadership within Europe. Both speakers also expressed cautious optimism, pointing to continued interest in the United States among younger generations and to ongoing efforts to build and sustain people-to-people relationships as a means of strengthening national ties. With an eye towards the midterm elections in November, the panel discussed declining public trust in political institutions, low approval ratings for both major U.S. parties, and signs of weakening support for President Trump, particularly due to the affordability crisis and immigration enforcement, suggesting that the MAGA coalition might increasingly come under strain.

We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Andrew B. Denison and Prof. Dr. Anke Ortlepp for their insightful contributions and to Oppenhoff for hosting the event. This program was kindly supported by the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia.