WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump once again inaccurately claimed his father was born in Germany during an Oval Office briefing on Tuesday, March 3. The comment came during a high-stakes bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where the President also issued sharp rebukes of Spain and the United Kingdom over recent foreign policy disagreements.
A Persistent Family Misidentification
While addressing reporters alongside Chancellor Merz, President Trump pivoted from geopolitical tensions to his personal ties to Europe. Gesturing toward Merz, the President remarked, “My father was born — he knows all about my father. My father was born there. There are places that you sort of automatically very, very — feel warmly about.”
Despite the President’s assertion, historical and public records confirm that his father, Fred Trump, was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1905. It was the President’s paternal grandfather, Friedrich Trump, who immigrated to the United States from Kallstadt, Germany, in the late 19th century.
This marks at least the fourth public instance of the President misidentifying his father’s birthplace. Similar statements were recorded during media appearances in 2018 and 2019, where he described his father as being born in a “wonderful place in Germany.”
Friction With European Allies
The briefing, originally intended to highlight U.S.-German cooperation, quickly shifted toward the President’s frustrations with other European partners. Trump specifically targeted Spain and the United Kingdom regarding their lack of alignment with U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran.
- Trade Threats: Trump described Spain’s cooperation as “terrible,” threatening to sever trade relations with the nation.
- The Chagos Islands Dispute: The President took aim at the U.K. government’s recent decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. He referred to the strategic territory as “that stupid island” and criticized the 100-year lease agreement that allows the U.S.-U.K. military base to remain.
“They ruin relationships. It’s a shame,” Trump said of the British government. He did, however, correctly identify his mother’s heritage, noting his love for the U.K. because his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, was born in Scotland.
Fact-Checking the Trump Lineage
The recurring confusion regarding Fred Trump’s origin remains a point of contention for fact-checkers and historians.
| Family Member | Relation | Birthplace |
| Friedrich Trump | Paternal Grandfather | Kallstadt, Germany |
| Fred Trump | Father | Bronx, New York, USA |
| Mary Anne MacLeod | Mother | Isle of Lewis, Scotland |
| Donald J. Trump | President | Queens, New York, USA |
Diplomatic Implications
The meeting with Chancellor Merz comes at a sensitive time for Transatlantic relations. While Merz has sought to maintain a stable rapport with Washington since taking office last year, the President’s unpredictability regarding trade and military alliances continues to create a complex environment for E.U. leaders.
The White House has not issued a formal clarification regarding the President’s comments on his lineage. Observers suggest that while the “born in Germany” claim may be a rhetorical slip, it underscores the President’s habit of using personal affinity to frame his “America First” diplomatic approach.
