It wasn’t your typical homecoming. After wrapping up his whirlwind appearance at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, President Donald Trump returned to Washington greeted not just by cameras and crowds—but also by a tongue-in-cheek video, set to Usher’s hit song “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home).”
Yes, really. The White House dropped a flashy montage of Trump stepping off Air Force One and mingling with world leaders, all to the lyrics “Daddy’s home, home for me…” and it’s taken the internet by storm—some laughing, some cringing, and some just confused.
The “Daddy” Comment That Sparked It All
The unexpected nickname came straight from NATO’s new secretary-general, former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
During a meeting with Trump, Rutte used a metaphor that made headlines worldwide.
“Daddy has to use strong language,” Rutte said, trying to explain how the U.S. often needs to pressure countries like Iran and Israel into calming tensions.
Trump chuckled and seemed to enjoy the moment, but the internet, of course, ran with it.
Memes exploded, and by nightfall, the White House leaned in—hard.
The Music Video That Has Everyone Talking
A few hours later, Trump’s team released a slickly edited video showing him meeting foreign officials, shaking hands, and waving to crowds—while Usher crooned, “Hey hey hey, Daddy.”
It included footage of his interactions with Rutte and clips of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, creating what many saw as a lighthearted jab at the viral moment.
Some on social media praised the creativity, saying the White House showed a sense of humor. Others were baffled.
“We are not a serious people,” one user wrote.
“Not sure this is what Usher had in mind,” another joked.
But MAGA loyalists loved it, with one supporter posting: “They said No Kings, not No Daddy.”
Rutte Quickly Tries to Clarify the Joke
The sudden media storm prompted Rutte to clean up his comment.
He clarified that he didn’t actually call Trump “daddy,” but was using the term metaphorically to describe how European nations sometimes rely on U.S. leadership.
“It’s like a child asking their daddy, ‘Are you still staying with the family?’” he explained. “That’s the sense I meant it—not about President Trump personally.”
Still, the moment had already taken on a life of its own, especially after Trump played along in his final NATO press conference.
“He likes me! If he doesn’t, I’ll come back and hit him hard, OK?” Trump joked when asked how he felt about the nickname.
With a smirk, he added: “He said it affectionately. ‘Daddy, you’re my daddy.’”
Trump Claims Victory and a NATO Win
Beyond the headlines and music memes, Trump walked away from the summit with a major policy win he’s pushed for since 2017: other NATO nations agreeing to ramp up their own defense spending.
“They want to protect their country, and they need the United States,” Trump said. “Without us, it’s not the same.”
He described feeling “inspired” by the commitment shown by other nations and insisted he left the summit believing U.S. allies were finally stepping up.
Anger Boils Over Fake News and Airstrike Coverage
But Trump’s mood wasn’t all upbeat. He lashed out at reports from CNN and The New York Times that claimed U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities were less effective than expected.
Trump doubled down, accusing both outlets of spreading “fake news” to damage his image.
He was especially furious that the media, in his words, tried to “demean PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP” and the pilots involved in the operation.
“Secretary of Defense (War!)” Set to Deliver Big Update
To combat the narrative, Trump announced that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—whom he cheekily dubbed “Secretary of Defense (War!)”—would deliver a major update to the American public.
“These Patriots were very upset,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“After 36 hours of dangerously flying through Enemy Territory, they landed… the success was LEGENDARY.”
He promised Thursday’s press conference would be “interesting and irrefutable” and called out the media for publishing stories before facts were even available.
A Homecoming Like No Other
So in typical Trump fashion, his return from an international summit had all the key ingredients: viral moments, political wins, media fights, and a music video thrown in for good measure.
Love him or loathe him, it’s clear Trump knows how to dominate the headlines—and now, apparently, the playlists too.