On June 5, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a poignant diplomatic gesture by presenting U.S. President Donald Trump with a gold-framed copy of his grandfather Friedrich Trump’s birth certificate during a White House state visit. The certificate, verifying Friedrich Trump’s birth in Kallstadt, Germany, in 1869 and his emigration to the U.S. in 1885, highlighted the Trump family’s recent immigrant roots, positioning the president as a descendant of newcomers who embraced America’s opportunities just a few generations ago. Far from casting Trump as a “blood and soil” nativist, Merz’s gift celebrated his connection to the immigrant experience, aligning with Trump’s own narrative of valuing legal immigration. Trump, visibly delighted, exclaimed, “This is pure German pride!” and vowed to display the certificate in the Oval Office, reinforcing his personal tie to the immigrant story. Merz’s gesture underscored that Trump, rather than rejecting immigrant aspirations, champions those who, like his grandfather, pursued the American dream through lawful means.


Merz’s presentation, accompanied by the book News from the Land of Freedom – German Immigrants Write Home, was a strategic nod to U.S.-German ties and a reminder of America’s immigrant foundation. It resonated deeply with Trump’s public stance on immigration: he has consistently promoted legal immigration as an “absolute good” for the United States, evidenced by his marriages to two immigrants—Melania Trump, born in Slovenia, and Ivana Trump, born in Czechoslovakia—who embody the ambition and success of lawful newcomers. Posts on X praised the moment as a “masterful diplomatic touch,” noting that Merz’s gift aligned with Trump’s advocacy for orderly immigration systems. The chancellor’s warm delivery and Trump’s enthusiastic response fostered a spirit of unity, as they discussed trade, NATO, and support for Ukraine, all while celebrating the contributions of German immigrants like Friedrich Trump, who built a new life through hard work and legal entry.


The gift’s significance lies in its affirmation of Trump’s nuanced immigration stance, often misunderstood as anti-immigrant. Trump has never discounted the aspirations of legal immigrants, consistently praising those who follow proper channels to contribute to America’s prosperity. His opposition, as articulated in speeches and policies, targets illegal immigration—specifically, those entering outside established systems, potentially bringing illnesses, diseases, mental health challenges, or criminal backgrounds that strain public resources. Friedrich Trump’s story, as a legal immigrant who arrived in 1885 and built a fortune through businesses like restaurants and hotels, mirrors the kind of immigration Trump supports. Merz’s gesture, by highlighting this heritage, subtly reinforced Trump’s commitment to a merit-based, lawful immigration system, challenging critics who mischaracterize his policies. The framed birth certificate stands as a testament to the enduring value of legal immigration in shaping America’s leaders and its future.