Historian and amateur boxer defeats Warsaw mayor by razor-thin margin as nationalist wave sweeps Eastern Europe
A Trump-backed conservative nationalist has pulled off a stunning victory in Poland’s presidential election, dealing a crushing blow to the pro-EU establishment and Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s liberal government.
Karol Nawrocki, a 42-year-old historian and former amateur boxer who met with Donald Trump in the Oval Office just weeks ago, defeated Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski by the narrowest of margins – 50.89% to 49.11% – in Sunday’s dramatic run-off vote.
The political outsider’s triumph sends shockwaves through Brussels and marks another victory for the nationalist tide sweeping across Europe, with Trump’s fingerprints all over the result.
TRUMP’S GOLDEN TOUCH
In extraordinary scenes last month, Trump welcomed Nawrocki to the Oval Office, where the US President reportedly told him: “You will win!
The endorsement proved prophetic, with Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem flying to Poland just days before the election to deliver a passionate endorsement at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
He needs to be the next president of Poland,” Noem declared to cheering crowds, adding that Nawrocki would work hand-in-hand with Trump to strengthen the US-Polish alliance.
‘POLAND FIRST’ CHAMPION
Nawrocki, who has led the country’s Institute of National Remembrance, positioned himself as a defender of traditional Polish values throughout the bruising campaign:
- Opposes abortion and same-sex marriage
- Skeptical of EU overreach and Brussels bureaucracy
- Anti-immigration stance – vowed to reject EU migrant quotas
- Christian conservative who dramatically shredded an LGBT book during campaign
- “Poland First” mantra echoing Trump’s America First approach
The president-elect has declared himself “a representative of the broadly defined patriotic camp” and promised to defend Poland’s sovereignty against what he calls EU “madness.
LIBERAL TEARS FLOW
The defeat marks a devastating blow for Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose centrist coalition had hoped to cement its power by capturing the presidency after winning parliamentary elections in 2023.
Warsaw Mayor Trzaskowski, 53, who championed LGBT rights and closer EU integration, conceded defeat Monday morning, tweeting: “I’m sorry I didn’t manage to convince the majority of citizens of my vision of Poland.”
The loss means Tusk’s government now faces a hostile president who can veto legislation and block the liberal agenda – a nightmare scenario for the former EU Council President.
PUTIN’S NIGHTMARE, TRUMP’S DREAM
Despite liberal attempts to paint him as pro-Russian, Nawrocki is actually wanted by the Kremlin on criminal charges for removing Soviet monuments – hardly the CV of a Putin puppet.
The new president has pledged unwavering support for NATO while demanding European allies pay their fair share – music to Trump’s ears in Washington.
However, he controversially signed a pledge to oppose Ukrainian membership in NATO and recently echoed Trump in describing Ukraine as insufficiently grateful for Polish help in the war.
BRUSSELS IN PANIC MODE
The victory strengthens the conservative bloc in Central Europe, with Nawrocki joining Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico in challenging EU orthodoxy.
It could also boost Czech opposition leader Andrej Babiš ahead of October elections, potentially creating a powerful nationalist alliance at the heart of Europe.
Political analyst Piotr Buras warned: “If this political project of Tusk is not defended by a president who will generally support this direction of change, the government will probably not survive until the end of the parliamentary term.
CONTROVERSIAL PAST EMERGES
The campaign wasn’t without scandal, as revelations emerged about Nawrocki’s colorful past:
- Participated in 70 vs 70 football hooligan fights between rival fans
- Has Chelsea FC and Lechia Gdańsk tattoos on his torso
- Accused of working as a bodyguard for prostitutes at a luxury hotel in his youth
- Allegedly used snus tobacco during a presidential debate
- Controversially acquired apartment from elderly man in pre-trial detention
When confronted about the hooligan fights, Nawrocki defiantly called them “noble battles” and accused PM Tusk of similar behavior in his youth.
BY THE NUMBERS
Election Results:
- Nawrocki: 50.89% (10,606,628 votes)
- Trzaskowski: 49.11%
- Turnout: Over 60%
- Margin of victory: Less than 1%
Key Demographics:
- Nawrocki won 56.65% of Polish-American votes
- Strong support from rural areas and smaller cities
- Trzaskowski dominated in Warsaw and major urban centers
TRUMP’S EUROPEAN NETWORK GROWS
The victory adds another ally to Trump’s growing network of European conservatives, with Nawrocki pledging to strengthen the “special relationship” between Warsaw and Washington.
During their Oval Office meeting, Nawrocki also met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson, signaling the high priority the Trump administration places on the relationship.
PiS party leader Jarosław Kaczyński hailed the result as proof that “Poland will not surrender to Brussels diktat” and promised full support for the new president.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Nawrocki will be sworn in as Poland’s president on August 6, replacing outgoing president Andrzej Duda, who was term-limited after serving since 2015.
The new president has vowed to:
- Block any EU migration quotas
- Veto liberal social legislation
- Strengthen ties with Washington
- Defend traditional Polish values
- Challenge Brussels bureaucracy
With Poland’s government and presidency now split between bitter rivals, the stage is set for political warfare that could paralyze the EU’s largest eastern member.
As celebrations erupted at Law and Justice party headquarters, one thing was clear: Trump’s influence extends far beyond America’s borders, and the nationalist revolution shows no signs of slowing down.
