President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed reporters Wednesday following a series of high-level meetings with NATO leaders in The Hague, Netherlands.
The event, centered around NATO’s new defense spending commitments and ongoing efforts to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, took a brief humorous turn after a comment by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte drew laughter from U.S. officials.
During a bilateral meeting earlier in the day, President Trump described the current state of the Israel-Iran ceasefire. “It’s like two kids in a school yard,” Trump said.
Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
“They fight like hell, and then it’s easier to stop them.”
As the president continued, Secretary General Rutte added, “Then daddy has to sometimes use strong language.”
🚨 LMAO! The NATO Chief just called President Trump “Daddy” following his f-bomb drop
47 runs this show 🤣 pic.twitter.com/WRv2HYBOh9
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 25, 2025
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
The remark appeared to reference Trump’s pointed comments the previous day, when he told reporters outside the White House that Iran and Israel “have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f— they’re doing.”
At Wednesday’s press conference, a Sky News reporter asked President Trump about Rutte’s comment.
“Rutte, who is your friend… he called you daddy,” the reporter said.
“Do you regard your NATO allies as kind of children?”
Trump replied with a smile as Secretary Rubio, standing beside him, began laughing. “No, he likes me. I think he likes me,” Trump said.
“If he doesn’t, I’ll let you know. I’ll come back, and I’ll hit him hard. Okay?”
Trump then added, “He did. He did it. Very affectionate. ‘Daddy, you’re my daddy.’”
As the reporter continued pressing the line of questioning, Rubio was visibly amused.
“Do you regard your NATO allies, though, as kind of like children?” she asked again.
🚨 LMAO! Marco Rubio absolutely LOST his composure in the background as Trump is asked about NATO Secretary General calling him “daddy.” 🤣
REPORTER: “Mark Rutte, the NATO Chief, he called you ‘daddy’ earlier…Do you regard your NATO allies as children?”
RUBIO: 🤣🤣🤣
TRUMP:… pic.twitter.com/eJEtjQqjeL
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 25, 2025
The exchange came as NATO announced a significant policy shift. Member states formally committed to contributing 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually toward defense and security obligations by the year 2035.
The agreement marks a historic increase, more than doubling the alliance’s previous 2% guideline.
“You’re obviously appreciative of that,” the reporter noted, before asking Trump whether he believes NATO countries will eventually be able to defend Europe independently.
“I think they’ll need help a little bit at the beginning, and I think they’ll be able to,” Trump said.
“I think they’re going to remember this day, and this is a big day for NATO. You know, this was a very big day.”
Trump emphasized the significance of the new defense commitment. “It’s been sort of an amazing day for a lot of reasons, but also for that,” he said.
The president credited the breakthrough to his leadership, stating the increased spending was not possible until his administration pushed the issue.
When asked whether NATO states will be able to maintain those commitments without U.S. involvement in the future, Trump responded, “I mean, you have to ask Mark.”
Earlier in the day, Trump had noted that Spain was the only NATO member not to sign on to the 5% GDP pledge.
The developments mark another major moment in U.S.-NATO relations under Trump’s leadership, reinforcing his long-standing demand for fairer burden-sharing among alliance members.
Trump’s comments, while occasionally delivered with humor, come amid significant global security challenges and the evolving role of the NATO alliance.
Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs
![‘It’s a Recipe for a Hundred Years of National Dominance’: Stephen Miller [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Stephen-Miller-Completely-Obliterates-CNN-Host-Over-Her-Illegal-Immigration-350x250.jpg)
![Trump Posts Hilarious Pope Meme, Leftists Immediately Melt Down [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Trump-Posts-Hilarious-Pope-Meme-Leftists-Immediately-Melt-Down-WATCH-350x250.jpg)
![Mother Breaks Silence After Three Daughters Killed During Father’s Custody Visit, Memorial Held [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Mother-Breaks-Silence-After-Three-Daughters-Killed-During-Fathers-Custody-350x250.jpg)
![Pentagon Begins Booting Trans Troops After Supreme Court Greenlights Ban [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Pentagon-Begins-Booting-Trans-Troops-After-Supreme-Court-Greenlights-Ban-350x250.jpg)
