Trump takes the shower out of election night, as embassies drop soiree – POLITICO

The decision to do away with election night festivities may also reflect the unusually politicized nature of America’s diplomatic corps. Most of the State Department’s top envoys around the world are political appointees and allies or donors of the sitting president. The current US ambassadors in Europe’s major capitals, for example – such as Ambassador Mark Gitenstein in Brussels and Ambassador Jane Hartley in London – are close allies of Democratic President Joe Biden.

A spokesman for the US Embassy in London said it “appreciates the long-lasting energy and excitement surrounding the US presidential election, which has been carried out over nearly 250 years of democracy”, but added that “election day does not end on election night. It time may be needed to count votes and allow the election process to work.”

The comments captured another underlying reason why diplomats may avoid the public eye on election night – there is deep unease about the strength of the US democratic system after disagreements over the outcome of the 2020 election led to an attack on the US capital by Trump – supporters.

Eight years after 2016, the cautious approach to election night also reflects the dramatically different approach Europe is taking to the prospect of a Trump presidency this time around. After being caught on the wrong foot by Trump’s victory in 2016, top European and American officials are determined not to let the same thing happen again.

The EU, like governments around Europe, has been planning for a possible Trump victory after being blindsided in 2016. Over the past month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s top official, Björn Seibert, has been sitting together with ambassadors of the EU’s 27 countries and other top officials to model how the bloc will respond to the US election.

Although transatlantic relations will endure challenges, who will win on the 5th of nov – Vice President Kamala Harris has signaled that she will prioritize American workers and raise tariffs – the possibility of another Trump presidency has alarmed the EU. Trump’s political vision could wreak havoc on EU-US relations: His plans to raise tariffs are likely to trigger a trade war, while he has urged Europe to cough up more on defense and on Ukraine and has refused to commit to NATO. Not to mention what a Trump presidency would mean for international cooperation on climate, which could push Europe to step up its own efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

One person who wants some bubbly on ice is Hungarian strongman Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who Trump called to wish him luck last week. As it happens, Orbán, whose country holds the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, will host European leaders in Budapest for a summit later this week as the US results roll in. He has said he will open “several bottles of Champagne” if Trump wins – but he could find himself drinking alone.

Sarah Wheaton, Rosa Prince and Clea Caulcutt contributed to this report.