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His comments come after a recent high-level meeting in Washington, where Trump hosted seven European leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
US President Donald Trump. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that European leaders “jokingly” refer to him as the “President of Europe,” while speaking to reporters at the White House shortly after signing a new executive order that makes burning the American flag a criminal offence.
“They jokingly call me the president of Europe,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “Which is an honour. I like Europe. And I like those people. They’re good people. They’re great leaders.”
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JUST IN: President Trump signs an executive order instructing the Department of Justice to prosecute people who burn the American flag.“I think our nation now is the most respected nation anywhere in the world by far.”
“They call me the president of Europe, which is an… pic.twitter.com/RYLP33J8au
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 25, 2025
His comments come after a recent high-level meeting in Washington, where Trump hosted seven European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Speaking about the meeting with the EU leaders, Trump said, “We’ve never had a case where seven plus really 28, essentially 35, 38 countries were represented here the other day – 38 European and other countries were represented.”
The aim of the talks was to urge Trump to continue supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. The meeting also came shortly after Trump held a private discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska—his first face-to-face meeting with Putin since 2019.
Trump signed an executive order that allows for criminal charges against individuals who burn the US flag. This comes despite a 1989 Supreme Court ruling that protects flag burning under the First Amendment as free speech. Trump called that court a “very sad one.”
The new order recognises the court’s decision but adds that people can still be prosecuted if the act is seen as inciting violence or public disorder.
Speaking to the media, Trump said that anyone found guilty of burning the flag could face one year in prison, with no chance of early release.
The order also targets foreign nationals who engage in such acts, stating that they could lose visas, be denied permanent residency or citizenship, and possibly face deportation.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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