On Wednesday evening, President Trump took to Truth Social to express his dissatisfaction with NATO partners. In all caps, he declared, “NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM.” He added, “And they won’t be there when we need them again,” and concluded with the phrase, “Remember Greenland.”
The comments come as the White House has signaled that the United States may withdraw from NATO. Ahead of a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt quoted Trump’s remarks to reporters: “They were tested, and they failed.” She also stated, “It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the course of the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.”
Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw the U.S. from NATO and criticized European nations for blocking base access and providing limited support during Operation Epic Fury, an Iran offensive. Despite a historically good relationship with Rutte—who once called him “daddy” of the alliance—Trump has described NATO as a “one-way street,” saying, “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us.”