The images of tens of thousands of people illegally crossing from Morocco to Ceuta (and Melilla) on Thursday, by land and sea, have gone viral, triggering a diplomatic crisis between Spain and Italy and prompting conservative politicians across the continent to criticize Pedro Sánchez or call for the closure of the Schengen area. However, they have also had an unexpected impact in the United States, both within and outside the Donald Trump administration.
Politicians, analysts, journalists, MAGA influencers, as well as thousands of bots on social media, put what happened in our country at the center of the debate thanks to a perfect mix. The animosity towards the Spanish government, the affinity with Morocco, and above all, the alignment with what happened with Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric and his followers, who have been focused for years on a catastrophic narrative about Europe, Islam, and civilizational suicide. But also for very clear reasons of national politics. "Democrats did this to America every day for four years under Biden and will do it again instantly, but on a much larger scale, if given any form of national power. Democrats will see their home trampled and stolen by invaders and will rejoice," wrote Stephen Miller, one of Trump's top advisors and the mastermind behind his immigration policies, commenting on a video of Ceuta.
It is no secret that the relations between the White House and Moncloa are bad, very bad. The differences are ideological, but exacerbated by clashes over Defense spending and NATO or the lack of permission to use the Rota and Morón bases in the war in Iran. Not to mention Spain's position on Palestine, which not only goes against the preferences of the State Department but has also triggered criticism from congressmen, senators, and members of think tanks or lobbies more aligned with Israel.
But the reaction to what happened in Ceuta has gone much further. "President Trump has long warned Europe about what would happen if they continue to implement extreme left and globalist policies, including those that facilitate massive migration. Spain and other countries that have adopted this destructive philosophy should reverse course immediately or risk their own disappearance," said a White House spokesperson on Thursday, emphasizing one of Trump's major obsessions, who has been predicting a civilizational suicide by European governments for years.
That is also Elon Musk's language, not only the richest man on the planet and the first trillionaire but also the owner of the most influential social network for politicians, analysts, journalists, and trolls. "It looks like World War Z," Musk wrote, comparing the images of Ceuta with those from the movie about people affected by a virus starring Brad Pitt. "The fact that they are all military-aged men means it is an invasion," "Spain's entire budget will be destroyed by illegal migrants. It's basic math: if Spain offers free things to migrants that are above 90% of the Earth's standard of living, they create a force function for 90% of the Earth to move to Spain, which is around 7 billion people!" he added in another of the dozens of tweets dedicated to what happened. "Wake up before it's too late," he insisted commenting on a poll about whether "the West will ever wake up from its Empathetic Suicide stupor."
But this time the buzz in Washington has escalated. While the images of Ceuta were circulating worldwide, Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, posted an enthusiastic congratulatory message to the King of Morocco on the anniversary of his coronation, emphasizing the ties between both nations and pointing to the U.S. support for historical claims over Western Sahara. "For nearly 250 years, the United States and Morocco have shared the longest friendship in American history. It is a strong and enduring alliance, based on shared values and a common commitment to peace, security, and prosperity," the message says. "Under President Trump's leadership, the United States has been unequivocal: we recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and support Morocco's serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution. Any other path prolongs the status quo and is unacceptable. Genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty provides this region and the continent with the opportunity to finally move forward after 50 years. This dispute must end now, and the United States will continue to work towards that goal," Rubio adds, highlighting that "Morocco has been a pillar of regional stability and security," ironically while Rabat was causing a security crisis and disrupting the stability of Southern Europe in retaliation for Pedro Sánchez's trip to Algeria, the day after the Spanish national team's victory in the World Cup.
The pinned message on President Trump's social media is precisely a thank you to the King of Morocco for dedicating and naming a long highway after him, expressing his desire to be able to travel it himself soon.
But the reactions in the United States have been numerous. Virtually every influencer, podcaster, commentator, and conservative columnist has spoken out on the issue. Thousands and thousands of accounts, whether real with millions of followers or bots, spent hours giving opinions, spreading misinformation, or fueling tension. "Spain could be heading towards a civil war. This is not just a border dispute. Spain spent centuries under Muslim rule before Christian kingdoms fought for generations to reclaim the peninsula. Morocco still disputes Spain's control over Ceuta and Melilla today. The past has a way of resurfacing on its own," said, for example, the account of businessman Patrick Bet-David, with a million and a half followers. "Breaking news: explosions reported in Spain," wrote another account of a retired military member with 700,000 followers.
Michael Rubin, former Pentagon advisor during the Iraq war and specialist at the American Enterprise Institute, one of Washington's most influential conservative think tanks, has been urging Morocco for months to order a new Green March. "If Spain were to return Ceuta and Melilla to their legitimate Moroccan sovereignty, Madrid wouldn't be in this mess," he tweeted yesterday. "Moroccans should regroup, send excavators to the border, and then enter Ceuta and Melilla unarmed to raise the flag. Sánchez and the Spanish press may protest, but they have no reason to act. Neither would NATO, even if Moroccan forces entered the cities to restore order and organize the transfer of settlers across the Strait of Gibraltar back to Spain," he wrote in March in an essay summarizing the position of a significant part of the neoconservative world.
An unofficial position but with growing sympathy among other circles in Washington, moving between a curious ambiguity. On the one hand, they denounce the images by talking about an "invasion," disparaging those they call "invaders," warning of the danger of Islam. But at the same time, they focus their criticism on the Spanish government, not on the King who allowed or rather instigated the crossing of borders and fences and who is an ally of Washington.
In May, in a report by the House Appropriations Committee, Florida Republican Mario Díaz-Balart, of Cuban origin, inserted a paragraph to align with the idea that "the cities under Spanish administration of Ceuta and Melilla are located on Moroccan territory and are the subject of an ancient claim by Morocco. The Committee supports the Secretary of State's efforts to urge a diplomatic compromise between Morocco and Spain on the future status of Ceuta and Melilla." Díaz-Balart used the argument in subsequent interviews to attack the Spanish government, warning about the consequences of antagonizing with the most powerful country on the planet.
"It's a civilizational suicide. The Left hates the West and is actively working to destroy it forever," influential Texas Senator Ted Cruz tweeted on Thursday. "That's what I call an invasion," he added. "Spain's socialist prime minister announced that he would grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. Now, his country is being invaded by hordes of military-aged men from Africa. Because that's what happens every time a politician offers amnesty," echoed Congressman Brandon Gill from the same state.