Trump: Muslim Brotherhood More Dangerous Than Communists Amid International Escalation

Pressure on the Muslim Brotherhood is mounting internationally, in a move that goes beyond political statements to include legal, security, and financial measures.

In the latest development, US President Donald Trump considered that the Muslim Brotherhood might be more dangerous than communists at present.

Responding to a question about which side poses a greater threat, communists or the Muslim Brotherhood, Trump said "both pose a significant danger," but indicated that the Brotherhood might be the most dangerous in the current phase.

Trump's remarks, made in an interview with American media personality Hugh Hewitt, come at a time when international moves are surpassing the limits of political statements to include legal and financial measures, and reviews of funding networks, institutional relations, and activities associated with the group classified as terrorist in several countries around the world.

What is happening? And what are the most prominent international and regional moves?

Egypt.. Expanding the Scope of Pursuit
In its latest moves, Egypt permanently listed the Muslim Brotherhood on lists of terrorist entities, according to a decision published in the Official Gazette this November 9.

It also listed three individuals on the terrorists' lists, based on final judicial rulings.

The matter did not stop there; on November 10, the Official Gazette published another judicial decision listing 35 entities and 36 individuals on the lists of terrorist entities for five years.

The list of entities included institutions, associations, and councils operating in several European countries, including the "European Council of Muslims" and its branches, the "Muslims of France" foundation, and the "Islamic Society" in Britain.

Observers say this step gains special importance due to the extension of the listed names to institutions operating outside Egyptian borders.

In a conversation with "Al Ain News," Egyptian researcher Ahmed Ban, specializing in Islamic movements and terrorism, saw that the Egyptian judicial decision "reflects the Egyptian state's firmness in its options for dealing with the Brotherhood organization, whether internally or externally."

He pointed out that pursuing institutions and platforms affiliated with the organization in Europe reflects a trend towards confronting the organization's networks and fronts outside borders, and not allowing them to take safe havens or reproduce their activity through new entities.

Europe.. A Decision Paving the Way for Classifying the Brotherhood
On the European side, the Brotherhood file witnessed a notable development last October, when the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for a European strategy to counter the organized influence of political Islam networks linked to the group.

The vote passed by 381 votes to 167, with 15 members abstaining.

The resolution called for evaluating the inclusion of individuals and entities linked to the Muslim Brotherhood on the European list of terrorist organizations, whenever they meet the required legal criteria.

It also demanded tightening oversight of European funding, reviewing entities receiving funds from EU institutions, and verifying the ultimate beneficiaries of these funds, including intermediary bodies, partners, and contractors.

Among the points emphasized by the resolution was the need to enhance transparency in foreign funding sources and review cross-border institutional relationships.

France.. Reviewing Funding and Infiltration
France was among the leading European countries pushing for reconsidering the handling of political Islam networks linked to the Brotherhood.

Last May, French President Emmanuel Macron discussed a government report addressing the group's activities in his country.

The report warned of the potential impact of linked networks on societal institutions, including schools, mosques, and local associations.

The French discussion included exploring measures to confront external influence, enhancing oversight of funding, and reviewing some regulatory and financial frameworks through which relevant institutions operate.

In the same month, the French Senate approved a bill targeting the infiltration of political Islam, within the framework of tightening procedures on relevant institutions and networks.

French authorities also dissolved associations including the Association Against Islamophobia in 2020, and the "Baraka City" association.

Austria.. On the Path to Prohibition

As for Austria, it is proceeding along the path of prohibiting political Islam, especially the Muslim Brotherhood.

Last month, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker expressed support for banning "political Islam," weeks after speaking about preparing a draft law to achieve this purpose.

He said in a statement to the German newspaper "Welt": "This ban is very important to me. We need a solid legal basis to enable us to ban groups or associations that promote political Islam and other extremist positions."

He also affirmed the need for this strong signal clarifying that Austria wants to protect democracy, the social order, and the rule of law from "political Islam."

Since 2021, Austria has applied the law against political Islam, which includes a ban on symbols of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Authorities monitor institutions and associations suspected of being linked to political Islam networks.

Germany.. Group Activities Under the Microscope
In Germany, domestic intelligence agencies (Verfassungsschutz) monitor activities and networks linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

The monitoring includes associations, centers, and activities that the agencies believe may constitute extensions of the group's networks.

Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain
Security agencies in these countries monitor networks linked to the group, according to security assessments addressing the nature of the organization and its institutional and financial relations.

United States.. Classifying Branches

In the United States, the Trump administration moved to take practical steps before the recent statement.

On November 24, 2025, Trump signed an executive directive instructing the State Department and Treasury Department to study classifying specific branches of the Muslim Brotherhood, particularly in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, according to US laws regarding counter-terrorism.

Last January 13, Washington announced the implementation of the first measures under this approach, which included:

The Egyptian branch: Classified as a global terrorist entity specifically by the Treasury Department.
The Jordanian branch: Classified with the same designation.
The Lebanese branch, known as the Islamic Group: Classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the State Department.
These classifications have significant consequences, including freezing assets within US jurisdiction and prohibiting financial transactions with listed entities.
Classifying an entity as a Foreign Terrorist Organization also entails additional restrictions related to providing material support and immigration to the United States.