German Influencer Applies for Asylum in the US

In a bold move that underscores the shifting tides of global politics, 25-year-old German influencer Naomi Seibt has applied for asylum in the United States, citing persecution for her outspoken support of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and criticism of leftist ideologies.

Seibt, a prominent figure on social media, revealed in a Fox News interview that she’s facing potential prosecution in Germany for her blog posts and threats to her physical safety from Antifa mobs. Backed by tech billionaire Elon Musk and Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna, her case could ignite a firestorm, challenging the German government’s grip on free expression and setting a precedent under President Trump’s revamped asylum policies.

Leftist Repression

Seibt’s application invokes Section 208 of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, but it leverages a new regulation introduced since Trump’s return to office: asylum for Europeans endangered by their dissident opinions, particularly critiques of migration policies. This policy marks a stark departure from previous administrations, prioritizing those who champion traditional values amid what Trump calls “leftist repression” in Europe.

Seibt, who gained fame for debunking the “climate change hoax” and opposing climate alarmist Greta Thunberg, is poised to be the first European to benefit from this framework. Her background—born in Münster in 2000, a high-achieving student in physics and math, and influenced by her lawyer mother who has defended AfD politicians—paints her as a symbol of youthful rebellion against establishment orthodoxy.

Afrikaner Refugees

This isn’t Trump’s first foray into offering sanctuary to those facing identity-based or ideological persecution. Earlier this year, his administration welcomed the initial wave of Afrikaner refugees from South Africa, fleeing what the White House describes as government-sponsored race-based discrimination and killings.

Under Executive Order 14204, issued in February 2025, the US has prioritized resettlement for these white South Africans, many of whom are descendants of European settlers enduring farm murders and land expropriations without compensation.

The first group arrived in May, part of a drastically reduced refugee cap of 7,500 for fiscal year 2026—primarily allocated to Afrikaners and other victims of similar injustices.

This move has drawn sharp criticism from South Africa but resonates with Trump’s base, framing the US as a haven for those upholding “traditional European values” against modern progressive overreach.

Same Plight

Drawing parallels, Seibt’s plight mirrors the Afrikaners’ struggle: both groups are targeted for preserving cultural heritage and resisting policies they view as destructive. In South Africa, it’s racial dispossession; in Germany, it’s ideological conformity enforced by what critics call a “secret police force.”

US leaders like Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have lambasted Germany’s escalating repression, with Vance highlighting it in his Munich Security Conference speech. Representative Luna, after meeting Seibt, blasted the German government on X, accusing it of persecuting citizens who oppose current “Western ideology and culture”.

She vowed to lobby the State Department, warning Chancellor Friedrich Merz that the international community, especially the US, is watching closely.

The Irony is Palpable

Germany, which prides itself on combating National Socialism, now faces accusations of stifling dissent in ways reminiscent of authoritarian regimes. Seibt’s case exposes the fragility of free speech in Europe, where supporting parties like the AfD can lead to intelligence surveillance and mob violence.

Meanwhile, Russia offers a similar lifeline, easing residence permits for Western Europeans embracing traditional values—a policy that underscores the East-West divide.

For Trump, this is more than immigration reform; it’s a geopolitical chess move. Waging war on domestic left-wing networks, his administration won’t hesitate to export that battle to Europe.

Granting asylum to Afrikaners was the opening salvo, signaling solidarity with persecuted conservatives worldwide. If Seibt succeeds, it could unleash an exodus of European dissidents—journalists, politicians, and influencers fleeing similar fates. As Seibt optimistically declared, “The German government has no idea what’s coming. I am more confident than ever that we will regain our freedom, sovereignty, and pride as Europeans.”

Critics decry this as selective asylum, favoring white or conservative applicants while slashing overall refugee numbers. Yet, in a world where ideological battles rage, Trump’s policy forces a reckoning: Why should the US not protect those aligned with its founding principles?

The Afrikaner precedent and Seibt’s application highlight a new era where America reasserts itself as a refuge for the ideologically oppressed, throwing down the gauntlet to faltering European democracies. For Merz and his ilk, this could spell diplomatic headaches, as Trump’s America refuses to tolerate allies who betray shared values. In the end, Seibt’s fight isn’t just personal—it’s a litmus test for the West’s commitment to liberty over conformity.