NATO Chief Visits White House to Mend Ties With Trump
WHO:
ABC News - NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, President Trump, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Fox News - Mark Rutte
WHAT:
ABC News - Trump has renewed his threats to leave NATO, raising the stakes ahead of the NATO leaders' summit in Turkey next month.
ABC News - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe.
ABC News - Rutte stated, “I’m completely behind him on this,” regarding Trump’s efforts in Iran.
ABC News - Rutte sent Trump a text message stating, “Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win.”
ABC News - Trump shared a private message from Rutte on social media, which included the line, “Can’t wait to see you. Yours, Mark.”
ABC News - Mark Rutte will meet face-to-face with President Trump.
ABC News - The meeting is intended to address Trump's criticisms of NATO and his threats to leave the alliance.
ABC News - Rutte is known as a "Trump whisperer" for his ability to charm the president.
ABC News - The Pentagon is conducting a six-month review of American forces in Europe.
ABC News - Trump has claimed NATO allies were not supportive of the U.S. during the Iran war.
ABC News - Rutte praised Trump’s efforts in Iran, stating he is "completely behind him on this."
ABC News - Rutte referred to Trump as “daddy” during a previous NATO summit.
WHERE:
ABC News - The meeting will take place at the White House.
ABC News - NATO headquarters is located in Brussels.
WHEN:
ABC News - The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.
ABC News - The NATO leaders' summit is set to occur next month in Turkey.
WHY:
ABC News - Trump has been critical of NATO, arguing the U.S. carries more than its fair share of military spending.
ABC News - Rutte's mission is to keep the U.S. in NATO amid Trump's frustrations.
HOW:
ABC News - Rutte uses flattery and praise to appease Trump, including crediting him for increasing NATO members' defense spending.
ABC News - Rutte has sent Trump text messages that capitalize random words, a style Trump favors.
(UPDATED June 24, 2026 17:42 UTC)
Trump has renewed his threats to leave NATO, raising the stakes ahead of the NATO leaders' summit in Turkey next month. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe, while Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed his full support for Trump’s efforts in Iran, stating that Europe will pay in a big way. In a show of camaraderie, Trump shared a private message from Rutte on social media that included the line, “Can’t wait to see you. Yours, Mark.”
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(UPDATED June 24, 2026 08:11 UTC)
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is set to meet face-to-face with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday, aiming to address Trump's criticisms of NATO and his threats to leave the alliance. Rutte, known for his charm and flattery, has previously referred to Trump as “daddy” and has praised his efforts in Iran, stating he is "completely behind him on this." This meeting comes as the Pentagon conducts a six-month review of American forces in Europe, ahead of the NATO leaders' summit scheduled for next month in Turkey.