Wednesday’s NATO Summit in The Hague had its fair share of serious talks, high-stakes diplomacy, and — unexpectedly — a strange nickname that sparked laughter and headlines.
President Donald Trump found himself the center of attention, not just for policy matters, but also for being publicly called “daddy” by none other than NATO’s Secretary General, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Trump Embraces the Nickname
During a whirlwind press conference that capped off his time at the summit, Trump was asked how he felt about Rutte calling him daddy.
With his signature grin, Trump replied, “No, he likes me, I think he likes me! If he doesn’t, I’ll let you know and I’ll come back and hit him hard, OK?”
He made it clear it was all in good fun, adding that Rutte said it “very affectionately”, and even mimicked, “Daddy, you’re my daddy.”
Standing beside Trump was U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who usually keeps a straight face at such events.
But in that moment, even Rubio couldn’t hold back — he bent down in laughter, clearly amused by the exchange.
Tensions in the Middle East Spark Tough Talk
Earlier in the day, Trump and Rutte had met to discuss something much more serious: the fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Trump had announced the agreement just days earlier, but tensions quickly flared when Israel launched an offensive shortly before the ceasefire was supposed to begin.
Iran retaliated with missile strikes, throwing the truce into question.
Trump didn’t hold back when speaking to the press.
“These are two countries that have been fighting so long, they don’t know what the f** they’re doing,”* he said before departing for the summit.
Rutte, in response to Trump’s blunt remarks, quipped that “Daddy has to use strong language,” referring again to Trump’s no-filter approach.
Strong Language and Schoolyard Analogies
Trump defended his choice of words, saying, “Sometimes you have to use a certain word to get the message across.”
He’s no stranger to colorful language — from mouthing expletives at campaign rallies to calling things “bulls***” during briefings, Trump has long embraced unfiltered rhetoric.
During his discussion with Rutte, he said he believed the ceasefire could still hold.
He compared Iran and Israel to “two kids in a schoolyard” — suggesting that after they fight it out a bit, it becomes easier to make peace.
That analogy was what led Rutte to jokingly refer to Trump as the “daddy” figure trying to separate the squabbling children.
Are NATO Allies Like Children?
That schoolyard metaphor sparked a follow-up question from a reporter: Did Trump see the U.S.’s NATO allies as “children” who needed guidance?
The reporter noted that allies were clearly responding to Trump’s pressure to increase defense spending, but wondered whether European nations could defend themselves independently if needed.
Trump responded that they might “need a little help at the beginning,” but ultimately, he believed they could stand on their own.
“This is a big day for NATO,” Trump said. “They’re going to remember this.”
Big Defense Spending Commitments
And indeed, the summit marked a significant development.
All 32 NATO member countries agreed to a defense spending target that aligned with Trump’s longstanding demand.
By 2035, allies are now committed to investing 5% of their GDP annually on defense and related security efforts — a major increase that Trump hailed as a win.
When asked again whether European nations could defend themselves without U.S. help, Trump sidestepped the question with a chuckle and said, “Ask Mark, I think you have to ask Mark, OK?”
Trump’s “Daddy” Label Isn’t New
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Trump has been called “daddy” in a political context.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson once referred to him with that moniker, though Carlson has since distanced himself from Trump — particularly after Trump’s controversial decision to bomb three of Iran’s nuclear facilities the previous weekend.
What’s Next?
As always with Trump, the NATO summit was a mix of sharp diplomacy, blunt language, and moments that leave people both laughing and scratching their heads.
Whether the “daddy” nickname sticks — or fades with the next news cycle — remains to be seen.
But one thing’s clear: Trump’s presence still commands attention, whether he’s making deals or drawing laughs.