Donald Trump’s victory on November 5th was a political and cultural earthquake that had repercussions far beyond America’s borders. Despite the mainstream media’s relentless propaganda in favor of the clearly unfit Kamala Harris, Trump triumphed, proving once again that the establishment’s control of the narrative is no longer an infallible weapon. In this context, Elon Musk’s role in the fight for free speech and Vice President JD Vance’s historic speech at the Munich Conference take on even greater significance. Meanwhile, the idea of a MEGA – Make Europe Great Again movement is gaining support across the continent, with some seeing Giorgia Meloni as its natural leader.
To analyze these developments, we speak with Álvaro Peñas, editor of Deliberatio.eu, contributor to Disidentia, The European Conservative, Demokracija and other European media. He is an international analyst specializing in Eastern Europe and has translated several books on the crimes of communism for SND Editores.
Álvaro, Trump’s victory on November 5 dealt a blow to the global media establishment. Despite 95% of the mainstream media openly opposing him, the American people re-elected him. What does this result say about the current state of journalism?.
This result confirms what we have been observing for some time: people no longer trust the mainstream media. They no longer trust the mainstream press or the major newspapers. This is not because of misinformation or outlandish ideas, but because the same media that often accuse others of lying have repeatedly spread falsehoods. They have lied about the daily reality of people living in their neighborhoods and cities. They have denied problems like illegal immigration and jihadist terrorism, trying to shift the focus elsewhere. This has angered many citizens. I remember, for example, the smear campaign against Giorgia Meloni in Spain during the last Italian elections: she was called Putin’s candidate, an absurd and unfounded accusation. When people become aware of lies, they stop believing the media, even when they tell the truth.
Elon Musk has emerged as a key figure in the fight for free speech, dismantling censorship on X and exposing the ties between Big Tech and governments. What do you think is his real impact in the fight against the establishment woke?.
Elon Musk’s action was crucial in the cultural battle for free speech. Twitter, like other major platforms, had engaged in ideological censorship, eliminating dissident voices, especially those critical of dominant progressive thought. This censorship was justified as “democracy” and “protecting free speech,” but in reality it only served to stifle dissent. Suffice it to recall that Donald Trump was banned from Twitter while he was still president of the United States, while the Taliban spokesman was able to keep his account active. The changes introduced by Musk on X have broken this monopoly on storytelling, forcing even platforms like Facebook to admit to targeted censorship. Of course, fake news and disinformation exist, but the real fraud has been the arbitrary selection of information allowed into the public debate. Musk has changed the rules of the game and reopened the space for real confrontation.
Vice President JD Vance gave a historic speech at the Munich Conference, emphasizing the need for a new American foreign policy and a redefinition of US-European relations. How do you assess his speech and what impact do you think it will have on the future of the West?.
Vance raised fundamental questions about democracy, especially in Europe, where people are persecuted simply for praying in public or denouncing the problems of mass immigration and radical Islamism. He is right that democracy is not about censoring those who challenge the status quo. As for the relationship between the US and Europe, the message is clear: the US is focusing its attention on China, and Europe must take charge of its own security. Many European countries have failed to fulfill their commitments to NATO, so there is an urgent need to increase defense spending and strengthen the military industry, especially after seeing what Russia is doing in Ukraine. However, I disagree with Vance on one point: Russia and China are indeed external threats, even if the enemy is also internal. In many cases, Western elites have sold out to these foreign powers, weakening their own nations in the process. Europe’s dependence on Russian energy and the handing over of the automobile industry to China are clear examples of this. Yes, Europe has an internal enemy, but this enemy has been fed from the outside.
A movement is emerging in Europe that some call MEGA, Make Europe Great Again, inspired by Trump’s political vision. Do you think the conditions are there for it to grow? What would be its ideological basis and its main opponents?.
Yes, the conditions for a MEGA movement in Europe are all there. Conservative parties are increasingly in government, as in Italy or Finland, and in many countries they are the first or second political force. Its ideological pillars would be the defense of national sovereignty, the protection of European culture and industry, and the rejection of radical progressive policies that have weakened the continent. It should focus on border security, not only against illegal immigration but also against external threats. Its main opponents would be the globalist elites who have promoted suicidal policies such as the indiscriminate opening of borders and environmental regulations that are destructive to the European economy. For too long, Europe believed that history was over and that progressivism had triumphed. But now we see wars, economic crises, and social tensions. Unless European nations take their destiny back into their own hands, they will be condemned to remain irrelevant in an increasingly dangerous world.
In this scenario, many see Giorgia Meloni as the natural leader of a European MEGA movement. Do you think this is a realistic possibility? What strengths could she bring and what challenges would she face in establishing herself as the leading conservative voice in Europe?.
Absolutely, Giorgia Meloni has all the credentials to lead such a movement. She has proven herself to be a strong leader, able to face her opponents fearlessly and to unite the different souls of the European right. Internationally, she has built relationships with leaders such as Donald Trump and Javier Milei, and has always been clear in her support for Western civilization and Ukraine against Russian aggression. The challenges will be many, especially in navigating the European institutions and keeping her government stable. The Brussels establishment will do everything in its power to thwart her, fearing any movement that might threaten their power. But if she plays her cards right, she could be the architect of a conservative resurgence in Europe.
