It was just one word: “Correct!” But it was enough to express a political commitment with a clarity rarely seen. Alice Weidel, chair of the AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, used it to comment on Richard Grenell’s attack on Friedrich Merz. A short tweet, an unmistakable signal: the AfD knows where it stands. And apparently, so does Grenell.
Richard Grenell, former US ambassador to Germany and outspoken Trump ally, wrote on June 4: “Merz’s double talk should be outed while in the U.S. this week. Be clear, Friedrich. Germans and Americans want authentic leaders – transparency is essential.” And Alice Weidel responded: “Correct!”
The symbolism of this exchange should not be underestimated. While CDU leader Friedrich Merz twists himself between right-wing rhetoric and statesmanlike pose, Grenell and Weidel make clear what they expect: clear lines, a commitment to “America First,” to authoritarian clarity, to what must now be called transatlantic right-wing populism. Grenell’s accusation is not mere criticism – it is an ultimatum to the German right: either speak our language, or be swept away. That the AfD picks up this play immediately is no surprise. They never saw Grenell as a diplomat, but always as a mouthpiece for their own cause. Even during his time as ambassador, Grenell made headlines with attacks on Germany’s Iran policy, with open support for right-wing conservative movements in Europe – and with a tone that fit Fox News better than an embassy building.
Now Grenell is back. No longer as an official representative of the United States, but as an ideological exporter. And he knows exactly which buttons to push: the yearning for superiority, the resentment against the “mainstream,” the calculated anger at difference. His words against Merz are an invitation to all those who long for less democracy and more discipline. And the AfD is eager to accept it. This case shows: while Grenell publicly pressures CDU politicians to be clear, the AfD steps in to capitalize politically. It is a lesson in how right-wing populism is orchestrated transatlantically. And it is a warning signal to anyone still believing that one can resist this bloc with half-sentences and hollow compromises. Because anyone still staying silent in this debate has already made their choice: for tactics, against conviction. For hedging, against clarity. For fear of losing votes – and against the truth. The AfD speaks plainly. So does Grenell. The only question that remains: When will Friedrich Merz dare to?
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