Trump's NATO Reversal: From Exit Threats to Embracing the Role of Alliance 'Daddy
Ex-NATO Official: President’s Bold Tactics Sparked ‘Tectonic Shift’ Despite Unconventional Style
President Donald Trump offered a forceful endorsement of NATO this week, signaling a striking shift in his long-standing, often combative stance toward the alliance.
Once infamous for chastising allies over defense spending and even floating the idea of a U.S. withdrawal, Trump now appears to have softened his position.
“I left here differently. I left here saying that these people really love their countries,” he remarked following the 2025 NATO summit in The Hague.
From Fierce Criticisms to Warm Welcomes
After years of tension, sharp exchanges with world leaders, and headline-grabbing remarks, President Trump’s renewed embrace of NATO marks a remarkable turnaround.
At this year’s summit, the atmosphere was noticeably different. Trump was greeted by Dutch royals, commended by the NATO secretary-general—who even dubbed him “daddy”—and returned home applauding European allies for their patriotism.
“It’s not a rip-off, and we’re here to help them,” he told reporters.
The shift is as dramatic as it is surprising.
The Iran Equation: Military Moves and Global Consequences
Trump entered the NATO summit riding a wave of momentum, fresh off U.S. airstrikes that reportedly dealt a major blow to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
According to American and allied intelligence sources, the operation delayed Tehran’s nuclear program by several years.
Widely interpreted as both a demonstration of military resolve and a calculated message, the strike served as a warning not only to Iran—but also to geopolitical rivals like Russia and China.
He really entered on the heels of a powerful show of force,” said Giedrimas Jeglinskas, former NATO official and current chairman of Lithuania’s national security committee.
“For many—particularly in Eastern, Central, and Nordic Europe—this strike, carried out with highly advanced weapons and bombers, helped revive the West’s deterrence narrative, not just America's.
Trump and NATO: A Timeline of Tensions – Beginning with the 2016 Campaign
From the Trail to the Summit: Trump’s NATO Journey Starts in 2016
During his 2016 campaign, Trump repeatedly labeled NATO as “obsolete,” questioning its relevance in the modern era and accusing member nations of not contributing their "fair share."
“It’s costing us too much money... We’re paying disproportionately. It’s too much,” he said in March of that year.
He also faulted the alliance for not prioritizing counterterrorism efforts—later claiming credit when NATO established a chief intelligence role to address that very issue.
February 2017: The Start of the Presidency
After taking office, Trump adopted a softer tone regarding NATO.
“We strongly support NATO,” he stated following a visit to Central Command. “We only ask that all members make their full and proper financial contribution.”
He maintained pressure on allies to reach the 2% defense spending target by 2024.
2018 Brussels Summit
Privately, Trump warned that the U.S. might withdraw from NATO unless allies boosted their defense spending.
“Now we are in World War III protecting a country that wasn’t paying its bills,” he cautioned.
Despite the tough rhetoric, he later praised NATO as a “fine-tuned machine” after securing increased financial commitments from member states. He also criticized Germany, accusing it of being a “captive of Russia” due to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
2019 London Summit
The tensions escalated when French President Emmanuel Macron famously described NATO as “brain-dead.”
“NATO serves a great purpose. I think that’s very insulting,” Trump fired back.
He also sparred with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, labeling him “two-faced” after footage surfaced of Trudeau mocking Trump behind the scenes.
2020 – Troop Withdrawal from Germany
February 2024 – Russia Controversy
Trump sparked outrage by suggesting he would allow Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” to NATO countries that didn’t meet their spending commitments.
The comment triggered urgent contingency discussions among European leaders about the alliance’s future if the U.S. scaled back its defense support.
June 2025: A Different Trump, a Different NATO
The 2025 summit in The Hague unfolded with unexpected calm as Trump was warmly welcomed by his hosts.
“He’s the man of the hour and the most important man in the world,” said Giedrimas Jeglinskas.
Jeglinskas credited Trump’s blunt, unconventional diplomacy with driving meaningful reform. “He’s brought tectonic change to the alliance’s capabilities simply by being himself,” he added. “It’s a gift for the alliance.”
Two Forces Behind NATO’s Revival: Russia and Trump
Experts agree that NATO’s recent revitalization has been driven by two key factors: Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and President Trump’s relentless pressure on allies to increase defense spending.
“President Trump is riding high this week with two major foreign policy victories,” said Matthew Kroenig, vice president at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center, referring to NATO’s revival and the recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program. “It’s terrific. I hope he can keep it up.”
He added, “Every president since Eisenhower has complained that NATO allies aren’t doing their fair share. Now, Trump is the one who finally got them to listen.”
