NATO leader calls Trump 'daddy' amid controversy

At the NATO summit held in The Hague on June 25, 2025, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte referred to U.S. President Donald Trump as 'daddy' while addressing an awkward yet humorous exchange about the Israel-Iran conflict. Rutte made this statement during a press conference, drawing analogies between Trump’s role in global diplomacy and that of a father dealing with quarrelsome children. He noted the U.S. President's use of strong language while criticizing both countries, claiming they 'don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.' Rutte justified Trump's expletive outburst as necessary for managing international relations effectively and suggested that strong language sometimes serves to diffuse tensions. This incident followed Trump's assertions on June 24, when he expressed frustration towards Israel and Iran's failure to adhere to a ceasefire agreement he had previously negotiated, which added to the complexity of the ongoing international discussions. Rutte’s comments stirred laughter from those present, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who found humor in the NATO chief's remarks. In a display of camaraderie, Trump later responded positively to Rutte's comment, indicating he perceived it as a sign of affection rather than a lack of respect towards NATO allies. Rutte had spent significant time before the summit praising Trump for his efforts to increase NATO member defense spending and for persuading allies to commit to higher defense budgets, particularly as pressure has mounted on them to meet their obligations. He voiced his belief that without Trump, the situation regarding NATO priorities wouldn’t have advanced as it has. Trump's previous criticism of NATO members for their reliance on U.S. defense support has continuously shaped the dynamics of these international alliances, leading to recent commitments to allocate five percent of their GDP towards defense. Despite some criticism over Rutte's complimentary remarks aimed at Trump, he defended his affection for the U.S. president while emphasizing the importance of strong U.S. leadership in global affairs, particularly concerning international security challenges. His remarks highlighted the evolving relationship between Trump and NATO allies, illustrating how the dynamics of international diplomacy continue to shift based on strong personalities and public statements. Rutte's 'daddy' comment has sparked discussions about the perception of power dynamics within NATO and may significantly impact how leaders communicate in future diplomatic engagements.