Warning in its National Security Strategy last year of “the real and more stark prospect of civilisational erasure” in Europe, the White House nevertheless applauded “the growing influence of patriotic European parties.” It seems now, however, that those like-minded patriots are falling by the wayside or deserting Trump. This includes Italian right-wing prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, who had touted their relationship as a means of building bridges for the EU across the Atlantic. After Trump mocked her for allegedly “begging” him for a photograph at a recent G7 meeting, she replied that he had invented the incident. More testy exchanges followed.Polls suggest that the right in Europe has cooled towards Trump and even Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, has distanced himself, reproaching the US president for insulting British troops. Most disappointing for Trump was the electoral rout after 16-years rule of supposed role model for the populist right, Hungary’s Viktor Orban.The backdrop to this is ongoing tensions between Europe and the US, notably about Nato. With few EU leaders now seen to get on well with the US leader, it was left to Nato secretary general Mark Rutte to visit Washington this week, to try to smooth the way ahead of the organisation’s summit in Turkey next month. The other Nato leaders are committing to increase defence spending, but still need Trump onside to support Nato. The US, meanwhile, is reviewing its troop deployment in Europe, with a view to more cuts. In response to criticism from Trump, Rutte pointed out that many EU countries had provided bases for the US in the recent war with Iran. With a ceasefire deal signed and negotiations underway, Europe’s leaders hope to mend fences by providing support to the US in the region. But Trump looks likely to continue his criticism. French president Emmanuel Macron’s statement this week that we are seeing “a moment of reconvergence between the Europeans and the Americans” may be little more than wishful thinking.