Trump Criticizes NATO Support Levels Ahead of Key Summit

WHO:

ABC News - Philip Gordon, former national security adviser for Vice President Kamala Harris, commented on Trump's relationships with leaders, stating, "It has often been pointed out he seems to have better relationships with adversaries and autocrats."

ABC News - Tom Barrack was appointed as ambassador to Turkey by Trump upon his return to the White House.

ABC News - Trump stated, “I would not have gone for most people... But he called me up. He said: ‘Please, I have it in Turkey. You got to be there. The United States has to be in there.’”

ABC News - Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute commented on Erdogan and Trump's relationship, stating they "clicked" personally during Trump's first term.

ABC News - Trump stated, “I would not have gone for most people... But he called me up. He said: ‘Please, I have it in Turkey. You got to be there. The United States has to be in there.’”

CBS News - President Trump criticized NATO and European allies.

ABC News - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the host of the NATO summit.

ABC News - Vice President JD Vance is involved in discussions regarding military sales to Turkey.

ABC News - Gregory Meeks is the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

WHAT:

CBS News - Trump stated on Truth Social, "They were not there for us!!!" regarding NATO's support.

ABC News - Trump hinted at a significant gift related to Turkish defense during his visit, stating, "Yeah, I’m going to probably do something that’s going to make him very happy."

AP News - U.S. Gen. Alex Grynkewich reported that European allies have largely filled gaps left by U.S. military cutbacks.

ABC News - Trump hinted that he could make news during his visit related to jet engines and the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets.

ABC News - Trump suggested he would likely bring a "big gift bag for Erdogan" during the trip, indicating he would do something to make Erdogan "very happy."

ABC News - The State Department sent key lawmakers a notice that it planned to bypass congressional opposition to more than $700 million of the jet-engine sales to Ankara.

ABC News - Trump hinted that he could make news during his visit related to jet engines and the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets.

ABC News - The State Department sent key lawmakers a notice that it planned to bypass congressional opposition to more than $700 million of the jet-engine sales to Ankara.

CBS News - Trump stated that it is "ridiculous" for the U.S. to maintain its current support levels for NATO.

CBS News - Trump described the U.S.-NATO relationship as "one sided" and "not reciprocal."

CBS News - Trump indicated he may attempt to withdraw the U.S. from NATO, pending Congressional approval.

CBS News - NATO leaders agreed to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP by 2035.

ABC News - Trump praised Erdogan as a “hell of a leader” and a good friend.

ABC News - Trump hinted at making a significant announcement regarding jet engines and F-35 fighter jets during the NATO summit.

ABC News - The State Department plans to bypass congressional opposition to over $700 million in jet-engine sales to Turkey.

ABC News - Trump is expected to have a bilateral meeting with Erdogan during the NATO summit.

WHERE:

CBS News - The NATO summit will be held in Ankara, Turkey.

ABC News - The last U.S. president to visit Turkey was Barack Obama in 2015.

WHEN:

AP News - The NATO summit is scheduled for July 7-8.

CBS News - The NATO summit is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

WHY:

CBS News - Trump has criticized European allies for their response to the war in Iran, stating they restricted the use of bases for U.S. forces without prior consultation.

ABC News - Trump has been repeatedly threatening to pull U.S. forces from Europe and scale back America’s role in NATO, unsettling allies.

CBS News - Trump has criticized European allies for their response to the war in Iran and their restricted use of U.S. bases.

ABC News - Erdogan's close ties with Trump have helped secure his presence at the NATO summit.

HOW:

AP News - The Pentagon informed NATO allies that it would no longer provide an aircraft carrier and support ships, aerial refueling planes, and dozens of fighter jets.

ABC News - Trump expressed admiration for Erdogan even while standing beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference last year.

ABC News - Trump claimed this month that he asked Erdogan to stay out of the war in Iran and that the Turkish leader complied, though there is no indication that Turkey had ever intended to get involved.

CBS News - Trump expressed his views on NATO through a post on his Truth Social platform, including a chart of NATO spending.

ABC News - The U.S. Justice Department dropped a major case against Turkey’s state-owned Halkbank earlier this year.

(UPDATED July 3, 2026 19:22 UTC)

Trump has been vocal about NATO's support, expressing frustration on Truth Social by stating, "They were not there for us!!!" As he prepares for the upcoming NATO summit on July 7-8, he hinted at a significant gift related to Turkish defense, saying, "Yeah, I’m going to probably do something that’s going to make him very happy." Meanwhile, U.S. Gen. Alex Grynkewich noted that European allies have stepped in to fill the gaps left by U.S. military cutbacks, as the Pentagon announced it would no longer provide an aircraft carrier, support ships, aerial refueling planes, and dozens of fighter jets.

(UPDATED July 3, 2026 17:31 UTC)

Trump has indicated that he plans to make headlines during his upcoming visit to Turkey, hinting at discussions around jet engines and the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets, while also suggesting he would bring a "big gift bag for Erdogan" to ensure the Turkish leader is "very happy." This comes as the State Department has informed key lawmakers of its intention to bypass congressional opposition to over $700 million in jet-engine sales to Ankara, amid Trump's ongoing threats to reduce U.S. military presence in Europe and NATO. Notably, Trump has expressed admiration for Erdogan, even while standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at a joint press conference last year, highlighting the personal connection they developed during his first term.

(UPDATED July 3, 2026 15:41 UTC)

Trump recently revealed that he received a call from a leader urging him to ensure U.S. involvement in Turkey, stating, “I would not have gone for most people... But he called me up.” During his upcoming visit, he hinted at making significant news regarding jet engines and the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets, while the State Department informed lawmakers about plans to bypass congressional opposition to over $700 million in jet-engine sales to Ankara. This comes amid Trump's ongoing threats to reduce U.S. military presence in Europe and diminish America's role in NATO, which has left many allies feeling uneasy.

(UPDATED July 3, 2026 09:56 UTC)

President Trump has criticized NATO and European allies, calling it "ridiculous" for the U.S. to maintain its current support levels, and described the U.S.-NATO relationship as "one sided" and "not reciprocal." The NATO summit, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Turkey, is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, where Trump is expected to announce significant developments regarding military sales to Turkey, including over $700 million in jet-engine sales. Trump praised Erdogan as a “hell of a leader” and hinted at a bilateral meeting with him during the summit, while NATO leaders have agreed to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP by 2035.