Free Republic

Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election was big news across Africa, although much of the news coverage was not jubilant. U.S. influence in Africa collapsed under President Joe Biden and many Africans profess to admire Trump’s style, but some resent his tough talk about African leaders or worry that his trade policies could hurt their economies. African leaders mostly offered warm congratulations to Trump, with an especially effusive Kenyan President William Ruto (pictured) praising Trump’s “visionary, bold, and innovative leadership.” Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa looked forward to “beneficial” relations with the second Trump administration.

President Joe Biden offered no words of congratulations or support to Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te following his election victory on Saturday, telling reporters simply that America does “not support independence.” Lai, of the anti-communist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), defeated two leftist rivals on Saturday to hand his party an unprecedented third term in power. Lai is currently the vice president of the country and will succeed current DPP President Tsai Ing-wen.

Incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is already busy forming a government, but has yet to receive a congratulatory phone call from U.S. President Joe Biden, several days after the result in the Nov. 1 election was finalized. Netanyahu’s Likud Party was the largest, winning 32 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, as right-wing parties that have agreed to co-govern with Likud won 64 seats — the largest majority that any Israeli government will have enjoyed in several years, heralding a more stable coalition.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday defended congratulating Joe Biden on his win in the 2020 presidential electing, saying doing so “was important” given the prominence of the U.S.-Israel alliance, Axios reported. “I highly appreciate President Trump’s big contribution to Israel and its security. I also appreciate the importance of the strong alliance between Israel and the U.S. and therefore it was important for me to congratulate the incoming President," Netanyahu said in a statement on Friday, according to the news outlet. Netanyahu’s comments come after Axios reported that Trump was upset with Netanyahu, now his country's opposition...

The EU, David Cameron from Great Britain, the Indian leader, and John Kerry have called Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him. After spending $350,000 to campaign against him, the White House said President Barack Obama will call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the coming days to congratulate him on his party’s massive election win. Let’s hope they record it. The Jerusalem Post reported: US President Barack Obama will call Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on his Likud party’s election win in the coming days, the White House said on Wednesday. White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on...

President Obama congratulated Republican Scott Brown Tuesday night for his win over Democrat Martha Coakley in the Massachusetts Senate race, calling him to say he looks forward to working with him on economic challenges facing the nation.