Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has become the first European leader to openly criticise newly inaugurated U.S. president Donald Trump—although he avoided naming him directly.
In a speech posted to X just moments before the inauguration, Sánchez denounced what he referred to as the “technocaste” of Silicon Valley billionaires, accusing them of using their social media influence to undermine democratic processes. This was a clear reference to tech moguls such as Elon Musk, a prominent Trump supporter, and Mark Zuckerberg, who has recently taken a more conciliatory view to the 47th U.S. president.
Speaking at the Hispania 2040 event in Madrid, Sánchez called on the European Union to take a stand against these forces, framing it as a battle for democracy. “The democracy we defend is not one tweet, one vote; it’s one person, one vote,” he declared, urging the EU to confront what he sees as a rising transatlantic threat.
While Sánchez is no doubt saying what many other European leaders are really thinking, his decision to speak out first raises questions about his motivations. Critics argue that Sánchez’ harsh critique of Trump and his allies is more about personal ambition than principle. By casting himself as a global leader in the fight against populism, he is trying to distract from scandals at home.
The Sánchez government has been plagued by allegations of corruption and accusations of undermining democratic norms. Notable incidents include the mishandling of €30 million in COVID-related contracts and an influence-peddling case involving his wife, Begoña Gómez. Additionally, Sánchez has been criticised for consolidating power within Spain’s public broadcaster, RTVE, in what opponents call a blatant attempt to silence dissent.
Opposition leaders in Spain have not held back. Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the Partido Popular accused Sánchez of “anti-democratic drift” and compared him to former dictator Francisco Franco, citing power grabs and constitutional violations. In Brussels, the European People’s Party has hinted at pursuing rule of law procedures against Sánchez’ government, though no concrete actions have been taken.
Ironically, while Sánchez accuses Trump of undermining democracy, his own record raises questions about his commitment to the very principles he claims to champion. His attempts to position himself as a defender of democracy may resonate internationally, but at home, they are seen by many as a deflection from his administration’s scandals and failings.
The hapless Sánchez’ statement coincides with the publication of a European Council on Foreign Relations report which explicitly warns EU politicians, saying:
Rather than attempt to lead a global liberal opposition to Trump, they should understand their own strengths and deal with the world as they find it.
