President Donald Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Wednesday to address the possibility of a U.S. withdrawal from the Atlantic alliance. The meeting occurred as the White House hardened its rhetoric against member nations for their refusal to support U.S.-led operations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the agenda shortly before the closed-door session. “It is an issue the president has raised, and I believe it is something he will discuss with Rutte today,” Leavitt told journalists. She added that the president might address the media directly following the talks.
The administration signaled deep frustration with the alliance's role during the ongoing conflict with Iran. Leavitt quoted the president directly, stating, “They were tested and they failed.” She further remarked, “It is quite sad that NATO has turned its back on the American people over the last six weeks, when it is precisely those people who have been funding their defense.”
Trump has repeatedly labeled NATO members as “cowards” and referred to the alliance as a “paper tiger.” Despite these attacks, he has described Rutte personally as “a formidable guy” and “great.” The two-and-a-half-hour meeting followed preliminary discussions between Rutte and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding military operations against Iran and the war in Ukraine.
Lebanon strikes excluded from ceasefire
While the administration focuses on the future of the Atlantic alliance, it is also managing a volatile situation in the Middle East. President Trump clarified on Wednesday that ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon are not covered by the two-week ceasefire agreement recently brokered between the United States and Iran.
“Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire,” Leavitt told reporters during Wednesday’s briefing. “This has been communicated to all involved parties.” She noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had issued a statement supporting the U.S.-backed ceasefire and assured the president that Israel would remain a “helpful partner” over the next two weeks.
When asked if the White House intended to include Lebanon in future agreements, Leavitt stated that discussions between Trump and Netanyahu would continue. “I am sure this topic will remain a subject of debate between the president and Prime Minister Netanyahu, the United States, Israel and all parties involved,” she said. Trump himself characterized the Israeli offensive against Hezbollah as a “separate skirmish” that was excluded from the broader regional deal.
This diplomatic maneuvering comes at a time of significant transition for the NATO alliance. In 2025, member states committed to a substantial increase in defense spending as part of a long-term plan extending through 2035. Rutte is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on Thursday before attending the annual Bilderberg Group meeting this weekend.
