He privately met with members of the AfD, breaking with the US diplomatic tradition that considered the German far right as untouchable. He secretly had breakfast with Brit Nigel Farage. He pleaded the case of Marine Le Pen, whom he believes is persecuted by the justice system, in front of the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights.
Samuel Samson, 27, has been for months “at the forefront of President Trump’s efforts to reshape US relations with Europe,” as reported by The New York Times. This high advisor at the State Department is “seeking to cultivate Washington’s ties with European figures on the far right and give them a boost.”
Limited Results
So far, the results have been limited, according to the center-left newspaper. “Marine Le Pen is still hindered from running for president. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, one of the leaders praised by Samuel Samson, recently lost power at the polls. European far-right politicians are now saying that being associated with Trump is more of a handicap than an asset.”
However, Samuel Samson embodies Trump’s government attitude towards Europe, according to the New York Times. “For much of the year 2025, he was the most prominent diplomat in trying to intimidate European leaders.” Even though another figure, Sarah Rogers, has been confirmed in a higher position at the State Department, the stance has hardly changed. “Her message was similar to that sent by Samuel Samson, albeit with a slightly more diplomatic tone,” the newspaper explains.
France in “North Korea”
Of Filipino descent, Samuel Samson “has been religious since childhood.” Since high school, he proudly declared his conservative commitment that led him “quickly to Washington and into the circle of J. D. Vance,” the current vice president. This eventually landed him a position at the State Department, within the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
Samuel Samson was determined to fight what he sees as attacks on freedom of expression, particularly in Europe. His target: the Digital Services Act (DSA), loathed by American conservatives. He discussed this with the director-general of Reporters Without Borders, Thibaut Bruttin, who remembers hearing him say that “France was gradually turning into North Korea.”
