In a move that has raised eyebrows across Poland, Rafał Trzaskowski—presidential candidate for the Civic Coalition—stated, seemingly out of the blue, that he would “quickly establish a relationship with Donald Trump.” The declaration marks a remarkable U-turn for someone who, until recently, openly supported Trump’s rival in the U.S. elections.
A Surprising Endorsement
Trzaskowski’s campaign has already featured a series of unexpected twists—ranging from on-camera push-ups in the mountains to a sudden fascination with disco-polo, shifting positions on defending Polish agriculture, calls for “economic patriotism,” and a curious silence when a crowd of Donald Tusk supporters chanted slogans containing the so-called “8 stars.” Now, Trzaskowski appears eager to show himself as a prospective ally of the former U.S. president—despite having stood firmly behind Trump’s opponent just a few months ago.
During a press conference in Białogard, Trzaskowski insisted he is confident in his ability to build ties with Trump should the opportunity arise:
“A good President of the Republic is someone who knows how to establish relationships. I am convinced I would quickly form a good rapport with Donald Trump, because I have been talking to people in his circle for many years. We’ve even invited Republican politicians, those who advise Republican leaders, to the Campus Polska Przyszłości.”
The abrupt enthusiasm for the former U.S. president comes despite past indications that the Trump administration had little interest in engaging with Trzaskowski’s political camp. Notably, Donald Tusk—Trzaskowski’s party leader—was not invited to the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States, widely interpreted as a sign of strained relations.
What Changed?
The timing of Trzaskowski’s newly declared support remains puzzling to many voters. As the presidential race gathers momentum, some observers suggest that these ever-shifting positions could confuse the electorate or even undermine the Civic Coalition’s broader strategy. Whether this latest pivot toward Donald Trump will resonate with Polish voters—who have watched the candidate’s frequent changes in tone—is yet to be seen.
For now, Trzaskowski’s message is clear: he believes he can forge strong ties with Trump, despite their earlier political differences. Whether this stance will help or hinder his campaign remains an open question in a race already full of unexpected turns.