President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to meet with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House on Wednesday, following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire with Iran.
The Trump administration has expressed strong frustration with the alliance for refusing to support U.S. objectives, including securing the Strait of Hormuz, on which many European nations depend. Alleged “allies” offered little more than calls to resume negotiations, questioned President Trump’s plan, and in some cases even closed their airspace to U.S. military aircraft, moves widely viewed as a betrayal by European partners.
🚨 JUST IN: The greatest Sec. of State Marco Rubio just WALKED OUT with NATO SecGen Mark Rutte
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 8, 2026
Rutte has repeatedly told Europe they should STOP taking free rides off the United States and listen to President Trump
Thank you for standing up for America, Marco! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/I2mdG8T45R
This comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said recently that the United States' "relationship" with NATO will have to be reexamined.
"After this conflict is concluded, we are going to have to reexamine that relationship," Rubio said. "We're going to have to reexamine the value of NATO in that alliance for our country."
President Trump has also expressed his displeasure with what he sees as NATO allies.
"All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," President Trump wrote on Truth Social in March. "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. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT."
European allies have suggested that NATO may become more Europe-centric, prompting the Trump administration to question why the United States should remain the military alliance's backbone.
Update:
The White House indicated that an update on whether the United States will remain in NATO could come as early as Wednesday.
👀WHOA: Karoline Leavitt just hinted that we might be getting an update on whether or not the United States will pull out of NATO as soon as today!
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 8, 2026
"It's something the President will be discussing in a couple of hours...Perhaps you'll hear directly from the President!" pic.twitter.com/INZzIzk9gS