Today marks the 75th anniversary of 12 nations from Europe and North America signing the Washington Treaty and the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Since the end of World War II, the alliance has fostered peace and security through the strength of cooperation and collective defense.
Despite its success, Donald Trump hates NATO and publicly shared his disdain for the organization as early as the 1980s. As president, Trump repeatedly threatened to pull the U.S. out of NATO and claimed other countries in the alliance owed the U.S. money for their membership – even though that is not how NATO operates. While in the White House, Trump refused to commit the United States to NATO’s Article 5 provision that an attack against one was an attack against all, and questioned why the U.S. should defend NATO ally Montenegro.
As a candidate in 2016, Trump proposed making collective security conditional on if a country “fulfilled their obligations” to the U.S. In 2024, Trump went even further and proposed a two-tier approach where only countries that met the 2% defense spending goal received the promise of collective security. Trump went so far as to say he would allow Russia to attack NATO states that were not meeting their 2% goal.
“Donald Trump is hell-bent on destroying NATO and allowing his dictator friends like Vladimir Putin to walk over our allies and create global instability. Trump doesn’t clearly understand, or value, the peace and stability NATO has fostered for over 70 years. A second Trump presidency poses a clear and present danger to our national security, and the security of our allies abroad,” said American Bridge 21st Century Presidential Campaigns Communications Director, Brandon Weathersby.
Learn more about Trump’s decades-long hate affair with NATO:
- Trump had a history of disdain for NATO, dating back to before entering politics.
- After entering politics, Trump said he did not “give a shit” about NATO and has called it “dead.”
- As president, Trump threw a tantrum, “jumping up and down,” and ordered Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper to withdraw the U.S. from NATO before pulling back.
- While in the White House, Trump incorrectly claimed that NATO countries owed the U.S. money and was dismissive of breaking up the alliance.
- NATO countries do not pay the U.S. for their defense. Instead, they contribute to the NATO budget and spend on their own defenses.
- During his first term in office, Trump proposed making NATO’s “attack on one was an attack on all” provision conditional on whether NATO countries “fulfilled their obligations” to the U.S.
- Trump questioned NATO’s collective security provisions and claimed defending NATO ally Montenegro could start World War III.
- During his 2024 campaign for president, Trump threatened to not protect Europe from attacks if NATO members were not “paid up,” and would “encourage” Russia to attack NATO allies that were not meeting their defense requirements.
- Trump reportedly does not want “NATO lovers” in a second administration.
- Former Trump national security officials, including Mark Esper and John Bolton, said they believe Trump would withdraw the U.S. from NATO in a second term.
American Bridge’s “This F*cking Guy” campaign is reminding voters of key moments from Trump’s presidency as he pursues the GOP nomination in 2024. Our Trump Research Book is up-to-date with research to help tell the full story about Trump’s failed COVID-19 response and make the case against allowing his incompetence to inhabit the White House once again.
Published: Apr 4, 2024