NATO Chief Rutte Jokes Trump Is Like a ‘Daddy’ Amid Controversial Remarks on Israel-Iran Conflict

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte compared U.S. President Donald Trump to a “daddy” during a press briefing at the NATO summit in The Hague, after Trump made a profane and provocative comment regarding the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Trump had likened the two countries to “kids” in a violent brawl, claiming they didn’t know “what the f*** they were doing,” and said his administration had stepped in like a parent to stop the fight.

Rutte, speaking with a touch of humor, remarked that Trump’s intervention reminded him of a father figure breaking up a playground scuffle. He noted that although the analogy was unconventional, it reflected Trump’s bold style of diplomacy. Rutte’s lighthearted comparison brought some levity to otherwise serious high-level discussions at the summit.

Trump’s original remarks also drew criticism for comparing the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He acknowledged the harsh nature of the comparison but insisted the decisive action helped end hostilities between Iran and Israel.

In a more formal context, Rutte praised Trump’s influence in securing a new NATO defense spending target of 5% of GDP, a significant increase from previous commitments. He credited Trump’s firm stance for pushing European allies to agree on the unprecedented military funding benchmark.

While the summit focused on key security issues, including Middle East tensions and NATO’s future strategy, Rutte’s candid remarks about Trump offered insight into the dynamic and sometimes unconventional atmosphere shaping international diplomacy.