A chilling assessment has emerged from an unexpected source: one of Donald Trump’s staunchest European allies. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, after a private meeting with the former US President at Mar-a-Lago, reportedly confided concerns about Trump’s mental state, using the stark word “dangerous” to describe his demeanor.
The revelation, shared by five anonymous diplomats, paints a picture of unease within European circles. Fico reportedly voiced his worries during a gathering in Brussels, where officials were already grappling with Trump’s increasingly assertive rhetoric, including past suggestions regarding Greenland. This wasn’t a formal diplomatic complaint, but a private expression of concern among peers.
Fico’s comments carry significant weight given his consistent public support for Trump. He’s been a vocal admirer, often aligning with the former President on contentious issues. This makes his private assessment all the more startling, suggesting a disconnect between public displays of solidarity and genuine reservations.
The White House swiftly dismissed the reports as “fake news,” with a spokesperson labeling the anonymous diplomats as seeking relevance. They insisted the Mar-a-Lago meeting was “positive and productive,” a stark contrast to the concerns circulating among European officials.
The meeting itself wasn’t a formal state visit, but included key figures like US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Slovakia’s Foreign Minister. Following the encounter, Fico publicly stated he and Trump were in “complete agreement” regarding a perceived “deep crisis” within the European Union.
Robert Fico’s own political journey has been marked by turbulence. He previously served as Prime Minister of Slovakia from 2006-2010 and again from 2012-2018. His resignation in 2018 followed widespread public outrage over the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak, a case that exposed high-level corruption.
Kuciak’s death ignited nationwide protests and forced Fico to step down, though he remained a powerful force in Slovakian politics. He recently returned to power, forming a coalition government that leans towards Euroscepticism and has actively sought closer ties with Russia.
Since regaining office, Fico has repeatedly called for Ukraine to negotiate a peace treaty with Russia, a position that has strained relationships with NATO allies. He has publicly stated that expecting Russia to relinquish control of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine is “unrealistic.”
Further fueling concerns, Fico recently shut down Slovakia’s anti-corruption office, triggering fresh waves of protests and prompting warnings from Brussels about upholding the rule of law. This action underscores a broader pattern of challenging established norms and prioritizing national interests over international consensus.
Adding a dramatic layer to Fico’s story, he survived a brutal assassination attempt in 2024, sustaining five gunshot wounds and spending weeks in critical condition. This near-fatal experience has only solidified his position as a central, and often controversial, figure in European politics.
