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President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO following a closed-door meeting with alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte, reiterating long-standing frustrations with member nations and raising new questions about U.S. commitment to the alliance.
In a Truth Social post after the meeting, the president wrote, “NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN,” expressing anger over allies’ reluctance to support recent U.S. military actions involving Iran.
He also appeared to revive earlier rhetoric about Greenland, writing, “REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!” without elaborating. President Trump previously pushed the idea of acquiring the Arctic territory from Denmark, a NATO ally, sparking controversy.
The meeting at the White House came amid reports that the president has considered reducing or restructuring U.S. involvement in NATO, though no formal announcement followed the discussion.
Rutte described the talks as candid but declined to say whether President Trump explicitly raised the possibility of withdrawing from the alliance.
“It was a very frank, it was a very open discussion,” Rutte said in an interview afterward.
Ahead of the meeting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said a potential U.S. withdrawal from NATO was “something the president has discussed,” adding it could be part of the conversation with Rutte.
Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for insufficient support for U.S. priorities, including recent tensions tied to the conflict with Iran and efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
Reports have also suggested the Trump administration is weighing alternative measures, including repositioning U.S. troops away from allied countries seen as uncooperative, rather than pursuing a full withdrawal, which would require congressional approval.
The meeting followed a newly announced two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, easing immediate military tensions but leaving broader strategic disagreements between Washington and its allies unresolved.