White House highlights Trump snub to European allies

A White House video frames a reception for European leaders with Monica Crowley as chief of protocol, prompting questions about diplomatic messaging.

White House Promotes Trump Snub to European Allies

A White House clip posted on Monday shows European leaders arriving at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and being greeted by Monica Crowley, not President Trump. The montage includes seven leaders and singles out Crowley as the welcoming face, with the caption Peace and American leadership are BACK under President Trump. Zelensky is the lone exception to the greeting. Crowley, 56, serves as chief of protocol at the White House.

Trump’s relationship with Russia has already sparked controversy after a recent Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, where he welcomed Putin in a highly public fashion. Critics note the absence of a personal greeting for most European visitors and say the optics may convey a message misaligned with traditional alliance diplomacy. Trump did greet Zelensky at the White House north entrance with a warm handshake, underscoring a personal emphasis on Ukraine at a time when Ukraine seeks strong U.S. guarantees. The White House has not explained why most European leaders did not receive the same direct greeting as Zelensky.

The clip appears designed to shape the narrative around Trump’s leadership and U.S. diplomacy. Using a nonpolitical figure as the visible host sends a signal about who speaks for U.S. relationships with Europe. Yet the choice raises questions about how genuine the engagement feels and whether it reflects policy commitments. The scene sits against a backdrop of ongoing debates about alliance commitments, military aid, and diplomatic strategy with Russia and Ukraine. In short, optics may grab attention, but substance will determine whether real trust is rebuilt or eroded.

Highlights

If policy follows the optics, the diplomacy will prove its value.