During the NATO Summit in The Hague on Wednesday, a lighthearted moment captured global attention when NATO Chief Mark Rutte referred to President Donald Trump as “daddy.”
The playful exchange contrasted with the serious discussions underway, including key talks on defense commitments and the delicate ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
At a press conference concluding his participation in the summit, Trump was asked about Rutte’s unusual nickname.
With a smile, he responded, “No, he likes me, I think he likes me! If he doesn’t, I’ll let you know and come back and hit him hard, OK?”
Trump added that Rutte’s words were said “very affectionately,” repeating the phrase, “‘Daddy, you’re my daddy.’”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, known for his usually reserved public demeanor, was present and visibly amused, breaking into laughter during the exchange.
The nickname stemmed from earlier conversations during a bilateral meeting between Trump and Rutte, where the two leaders focused on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
Trump expressed frustration with the prolonged fighting during a Tuesday press briefing, telling reporters, “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing,” as Resist the Mainstream highlighted earlier.
In response, Rutte joked, “Daddy has to use strong language” to urge peace between the two nations.
Trump agreed, emphasizing, “You have to use strong language. Every once in a while, you have to use a certain word.”
The president’s candid use of language is well documented, including mouthing the F-word during a 2016 campaign rally and using “bulls***” in a White House briefing earlier this year, according to the Daily Mail.
Regarding the ceasefire, Trump expressed confidence that it would hold.
He compared the conflict to a schoolyard fight, saying, “They fight like hell, you can’t stop them. Let them fight for two or three minutes then it’s easy to stop them.”
This analogy was the impetus for Rutte’s “daddy” remark.
When asked if he considered NATO allies as children needing guidance, Trump acknowledged that European countries “are obviously listening” and are “appreciative” of U.S. support and leadership.
However, when pressed on whether these nations could defend Europe independently, Trump said they would “need a little help at the beginning,” but he expressed optimism that they “will be able to” manage over time.
One of the summit’s most significant outcomes was the agreement by all 32 NATO member countries to a defense spending commitment long advocated by Trump.
The nations pledged to allocate 5 percent of their GDP annually toward core defense requirements and security-related expenses by 2035.
This marks a historic step toward increased burden-sharing among allies.
When a reporter pressed Trump again on Europe’s ability to defend itself without American involvement, the president deflected with a smile, “Well, ask Mark, I think you have to ask Mark, OK?”
Trump’s casual and candid demeanor throughout the summit was a reminder of his unorthodox style on the global stage.
His willingness to engage in humor and direct language contrasts with the typically formal tone of international diplomacy.
Yet, his focus on defense spending and alliance commitments highlighted key priorities for his administration and the NATO alliance going forward.
WATCH:
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Author: Gloriel Howard
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