The comment came during a press appearance in the Oval Office on Tuesday (March 3), where Trump met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Although the meeting had been scheduled for some time, the conversation largely focused on the escalating tensions in the Middle East following a joint military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran.

During the press conference, Trump also criticized the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after Britain initially refused to allow the US to use its military bases for strikes targeting Iran.

Starmer later changed the decision, permitting the US to use the bases, though only for defensive purposes.

Even so, Trump appeared frustrated with the UK. Referring to Starmer, he said:
“We’re very surprised. This isn’t Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.”

While discussing his connection to Britain, Trump mentioned his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, who was born in Scotland before moving to the United States as a teenager.

He said:

“They damage relationships. It’s a shame. And I love that country—I really do. My mother was born there.”

Then, gesturing toward the German chancellor, he added:
“My father was born there—he knows all about my father. My father was born there. Some places just give you a warm feeling automatically.”

However, Fred Trump was not born in Germany. He was born in New York City. It was actually Trump’s grandparents—Frederich Trump and Elizabeth Christ Trump—who were born in Germany before immigrating to the United States.

This isn’t the first time Trump has made that mistake. In a 2019 CBS News briefing, he similarly said:

“My father is German—was German—born in a wonderful place in Germany, so I feel very connected to Germany.”

During the same press conference on Tuesday, Trump also announced plans to halt trade relations with Spain after the country declined to support the US military operation in the Middle East.

He told reporters:
“Spain has been terrible. I told Scott [Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent] to cut off all dealings with Spain.”

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded strongly, criticizing the US strike on Iran and stating:

“We will not be complicit in something harmful to the world and against our values and interests simply because we fear retaliation.”