Vance also compared European leaders to Cold War tyrants during his speech.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivered a scathing critique of European leaders at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, accusing them of stifling free speech and fearing their own citizens.
In a speech ostensibly focused on European security, Vance condemned what he described as excessive crackdowns on dissenting views. He criticized the U.K. for arresting a protester near an abortion clinic and Sweden for convicting an anti-Islam activist who burned Korans. He also accused European governments of pressuring social media companies to censor content, citing the Covid-19 lab leak theory as an example.
“It looks more and more like entrenched elites, hiding behind Soviet-era terms like misinformation and disinformation, simply dislike the idea of people expressing different opinions, voting differently, or even winning elections,” Vance said.
He warned that silencing alternative viewpoints is “the most surefire way to destroy democracy” and quipped, “If American democracy can survive 10 years of Greta Thunberg scolding, you guys can survive a few months of Elon Musk.”
Vance also likened today’s European leaders to Cold War-era autocrats, pointing to court decisions canceling elections and officials threatening to do the same. “Within living memory, the Cold War pitted defenders of democracy against much more tyrannical forces,” he said. “Consider the side that censored dissidents, closed churches, and canceled elections. Were they the good guys? Certainly not. And thank God, they lost the Cold War.”
He concluded by questioning whether Europe’s leaders still uphold the values of freedom and democracy, saying, “You can’t force people to think, feel, or believe a certain way. Unfortunately, when I look at Europe today, it’s sometimes unclear what happened to some of the Cold War’s winners.”
Lithuanian and U.S. rescuers are working to recover a military vehicle submerged in a peat bog, where four U.S. soldiers have been missing for two days during a training exercise near the Belarus border.
Signal president Meredith Whittaker has defended the platform’s security after senior Trump administration officials mistakenly included a journalist in a private Signal group chat discussing U.S. military action against Yemen’s Houthis.
Norway’s Defence Minister, Tore O. Sandvik, affirmed that the United States remains committed to European defence, but emphasized that Europe must contribute more financially to ensure the U.S. can uphold its security commitments.
Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella expressed confidence on Monday that the European Union (EU) has the strength to effectively respond to potential U.S. tariffs.
Hyundai Steel, in partnership with Hyundai Motor Group, announced a $5.8 billion investment to build a new steel plant in Louisiana, U.S., with an annual capacity of 2.7 million tonnes.
Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection, is celebrated uniquely around the world. From vibrant lanterns in Egypt to communal feasts in Turkey, discover the diverse customs that make Ramadan a global celebration of faith.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing more than 1,644 people and leaving 2,300 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres responds to discussions on a potential temporary administration in Ukraine, reaffirming the presence of a legitimate government and clarifying the UN’s role in mediation efforts.
Suicide bomber targets a political protest rally in Balochistan, Pakistan. No civilian casualties reported; the attacker was killed.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots, monitoring a Chinese navy warship as it navigated Australian waters, were alerted to a live-fire exercise via a civilian radio broadcast, defense officials revealed on Tuesday.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing more than 1,644 people and leaving 2,300 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
As the world shifts toward clean energy at an ever-accelerating pace, large economies are scrambling to secure reliable supply chains for rare earth minerals. These minerals, once seen as mere industrial components, have become a political tool in the global power struggle
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
A devastating overnight drone attack on Kyiv, attributed to Russian forces, resulted in the deaths of three people, including a five-year-old child, and left ten others injured.
Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection, is celebrated uniquely around the world. From vibrant lanterns in Egypt to communal feasts in Turkey, discover the diverse customs that make Ramadan a global celebration of faith.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing more than 1,644 people and leaving 2,300 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres responds to discussions on a potential temporary administration in Ukraine, reaffirming the presence of a legitimate government and clarifying the UN’s role in mediation efforts.
Suicide bomber targets a political protest rally in Balochistan, Pakistan. No civilian casualties reported; the attacker was killed.
Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection, is celebrated uniquely around the world. From vibrant lanterns in Egypt to communal feasts in Turkey, discover the diverse customs that make Ramadan a global celebration of faith.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing more than 1,644 people and leaving 2,300 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres responds to discussions on a potential temporary administration in Ukraine, reaffirming the presence of a legitimate government and clarifying the UN’s role in mediation efforts.
Suicide bomber targets a political protest rally in Balochistan, Pakistan. No civilian casualties reported; the attacker was killed.
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