Trump's NATO Rhetoric Undermines Alliance Unity
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- Trump posted on Truth Social after a closed‑door meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, accusing allies of disappointment and saying NATO only acts under pressure.
- Trump has repeatedly condemned European partners for failing to meet NATO defense spending obligations and for not supporting the U.S.-led war against Iran.
- White House officials echoed Trump’s view, stating that “NATO was tested, and they failed,” after the president’s remarks.
- Ivo Daalder, former NATO ambassador, warned that Trump’s rhetoric erodes confidence in the U.S.’s Article 5 commitment and that the damage could linger beyond his administration.
- Pew Research polling shows a decline in Republican favorability toward NATO membership, indicating a shift in domestic political support.
- U.S. Congress would have to approve any NATO withdrawal under a 2023 law, limiting Trump’s ability to unilaterally pull the United States out of the alliance.
Why it matters: Trump’s criticism undermines NATO cohesion while domestic polling shows waning Republican support for the pact. Because Congress must authorize any U.S. exit, the president’s rhetoric forces costly diplomatic and military adjustments without a clear path to withdrawal.
