Trump publishes flattering texts from NATO director
(MENAFN) U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly shared screenshots of private messages from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in which the NATO chief praised Trump for his “decisive action in Iran” and appeared to imitate Trump’s writing style. The messages, posted on Trump’s Truth Social account just before the NATO summit in The Hague, have caused embarrassment for Rutte.
In the texts, Rutte commended Trump’s military moves in Iran as “extraordinary” and claimed they made the world “safer.” He also expressed full support for Trump’s push to raise NATO defense spending to 5% of GDP, telling Trump, “Europe is going to pay BIG,” and predicted a major victory for Trump at the summit. He added, “You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done.”
The authenticity of the messages was reportedly confirmed by a NATO spokesperson to the BBC.
Rutte has previously supported cuts to European social programs to fund defense and controversially suggested that without greater military investment, Western Europeans might need to “learn Russian.” His stance aligns with Trump’s longstanding demands that NATO countries increase defense budgets—many of which have been justified by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Despite this, some NATO members remain resistant. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected the proposed 5% target, calling it “unreasonable and counterproductive.” Spain currently spends only 1.3% of its GDP on defense—well below the current 2% target. Rutte responded by saying NATO does not allow for opt-outs from agreed commitments.
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