Mathias Döpfner, Chief Executive of Axel Springer, has commended U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s recent address at the Munich Security Conference, describing it to Financial Times as an “inspiring message.” Vance’s speech, which drew sharp criticism from European leaders, challenged Europe’s stance on freedom of expression and political isolation of far-right groups.
In his address, Vance asserted that Europe’s restrictions on free speech pose a more significant threat to the continent than external adversaries like Russia or China. He urged European nations to reconsider their political marginalisation of far-right parties, especially with the German federal elections approaching, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is projected to achieve a historic second-place finish.
The speech elicited strong reactions from prominent German politicians, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz and opposition leader Friedrich Merz. Despite the backlash, Döpfner, a German national and co-owner of the Berlin-based media conglomerate Axel Springer, emphasised the importance of engaging with Vance’s perspective. He suggested that many had “intentionally misunderstood” Vance’s message, which he interpreted as a call for Europe to define its values and overcome its apprehensions about public sentiment.
“Honestly, I think it’s an inspiring message,” Döpfner stated in an interview with the Financial Times. “You don’t have to take everything literally, but you should try to take it seriously.” He criticised the European response as “whiny,” cautioning that such reactions could undermine the transatlantic alliance. “We need a transatlantic security alliance and a transatlantic trade relationship,” he added.
Döpfner also addressed recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who labeled Politico—a publication owned by Axel Springer—as a “leftwing rag” and claimed it had received $8 million in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Döpfner dismissed these allegations as a “misunderstanding,” clarifying that the funds in question were standard subscriptions, not subsidies. He expressed hope for a resolution, stating, “I hope that it will be clarified.”
Regarding accusations of leftwing bias in mainstream media, Döpfner acknowledged some validity to the claims but underscored the necessity of upholding freedom of speech, even for dissenting journalism. “For me, it’s almost funny,” he remarked, noting his portrayal in Germany as part of a rightwing conspiracy and now in America as part of a leftwing one. “Honestly, that’s exactly the position where an independent publisher should be.”
Read also:
Elon Musk’s Livestream With AfD Leader Sparks EU Concerns Over Platform Bias and Election Risks
