A recent analysis by academic think-tank CPD explored the trends behind US-related mentions in Romanian online sources. Findings show that mentions related to the United States saw a sharp increase in January and February 2025, building on an already notable 50% surge in the latter half of 2024 compared to the first. While the U.S. elections and the beginning of President Trump’s second term naturally attracted widespread attention, the peak in discussions came when JD Vance and Elon Musk commented on the Romanian elections, highlighting broader concerns about potential geopolitical shifts.
The trend line indicates a steady rise in engagement throughout the year, with notable spikes following the U.S. election in November, Trump’s inauguration, and Vice President Vance’s remarks at the Munich Security Conference.
Over the past year, Romanian online discussions about the U.S. have primarily centered on major geopolitical topics, including the Biden-Trump and Trump-Harris election battles, as well as NATO, Ukraine, and Russia. These themes have consistently shaped digital conversations, highlighting Romania’s engagement with global affairs and its alignment with the West. However, recent trends indicate a growing focus on specific leaders and events with direct implications for Romania.
In recent weeks, the conversation has become more focused on key figures, with names like Călin Georgescu, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio gaining traction. The sudden rise in mentions of U.S. Vice President JD Vance reflects heightened media attention on his recent criticism of Romania’s decision to annul its presidential election. His remarks on Romania’s electoral integrity and broader concerns about European democracy have sparked significant debate. Similarly, the prominence of Călin Georgescu’s name remains closely tied to this ongoing discussion.
Disclaimer: The insights and graphs quoted above were extracted from a report written by the CPD team using NewsVibe data. The report can be accessed at civicparticipation.ro.
