During a recent exchange, Donald Trump reminded German opposition leader Friedrich Merz that Nazi Germany lost the Second World War. The moment happened just as Merz made a symbolic reference to D-Day, saying that tomorrow marks the anniversary of the day “Americans once ended war in Europe.”
Trump interrupted him: “That was not a pleasant day for you… not a great day.”
There was a pause. Merz didn’t push back. He didn’t clarify what role Germany played in that war or acknowledge that it was Nazi Germany that brought Europe to the brink of destruction. Nor did he mention that the Soviet Union bore the overwhelming burden of the war in Europe, militarily, economically, and in terms of lives lost. The Red Army fought and bled on the Eastern Front long before and long after D-Day. 27 million Russians died during that war.
It’s strange to hear a German politician highlight the American landing at Normandy as the moment the war ended, while ignoring what happened in Stalingrad, Kursk, or Berlin. That silence may be calculated. But historical memory doesn’t work well when pieces are left out to fit the mood or flatter current alliances.
Trump’s comment was offhand, maybe even mocking. But it exposed something that isn’t often said out loud: the West picks which parts of history to remember, and when.
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