Updated 6 June 2025 at 16:55 IST
New Delhi: In a meeting held at the White House on Thursday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz handed over a framed copy of US President Donald Trump’s grandfather’s birth certificate. The document, issued for Friedrich Trump, was presented in the Oval Office during Merz’s visit to Washington on June 5.
The gesture was widely seen as a subtle reminder to Trump of his German heritage. It drew attention on social media, with many calling it a diplomatic way of pointing out the president’s immigrant roots.
Merz told Trump that his grandfather was born near the town of Bad Dürkheim in Germany. Trump responded with a smile and said, “That’s serious German.” The US President appeared pleased with the gift and remarked, “Fantastic!” He looked around the room and joked about hanging the certificate on a wall, drawing laughter from others present.
The certificate was framed in gold, a colour frequently seen in Trump’s office decor and known to be one of his preferences.
Later, Merz posted a video on social media explaining that the German Foreign Ministry had prepared the gift. The video included a translation of the birth certificate in English. In the clip, Merz described the gesture as “truly sensational.”
While the meeting remained mostly cordial, Trump once again raised concerns about Germany’s military spending. He questioned whether increasing the budget was a wise move. Merz, maintaining composure, smiled through the comment and did not offer a strong reaction.
Published 6 June 2025 at 15:28 IST