NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has clarified recent remarks that sparked controversy during his interaction with U.S. President Donald Trump, firmly denying that he had addressed Trump as “daddy.”
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the confusion arose during a news conference at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, where Rutte used the term in an analogy meant to describe NATO member states’ dependence on the United States for security.
Rutte explained that the comment had been misinterpreted, emphasizing that he was not referring to Trump personally using the term, but was instead using a figurative expression to illustrate the situation faced by some NATO countries.
“In that setting, I said it sounds a bit like a child asking his daddy, ‘Are you still staying with the family?’” Rutte explained in an exclusive interview with Reuters.
He insisted that the remark was meant to convey the sentiment often expressed by smaller nations worried about U.S. commitment to NATO, especially in the wake of Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy stances.
The issue began after Trump, speaking about the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, likened the situation to “two kids fighting in a schoolyard.” Responding to the analogy, Rutte added, “Then daddy has to sometimes use strong language,” prompting speculation that he was referring to Trump as a paternal figure in global diplomacy.
However, the Dutch leader quickly moved to correct the narrative.
“I wasn’t calling President Trump ‘daddy,’” Rutte reiterated, saying his comments had been taken out of context and misrepresented in some media outlets. “It was about how smaller nations view the U.S. role in NATO—not a personal reference.”
Trump’s past interactions with NATO have often been contentious. During his first term in office, Trump repeatedly criticized NATO members for not meeting their defense spending obligations. He also threatened to withdraw the U.S. from the alliance, creating uncertainty among allies.
This history has made NATO summits under Trump’s renewed influence a stage for careful diplomatic maneuvering.
Rutte’s remarks came during a tense backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates.
Trump has continued to assert strong rhetoric, describing the conflict as intense and likening the ceasefire to a “tremendous victory.” However, his approach and comments often evoke mixed reactions from international leaders and analysts.
Some observers viewed Rutte’s “daddy” comment as overly accommodating, even weak. He was questioned about whether his tone signaled a submissive posture to Trump’s dominant persona on the world stage.
Rutte dismissed such criticisms as subjective, saying, “That’s a matter of taste.”
He maintained that his responsibility as NATO Secretary-General is to maintain cohesion and communication among member states, especially amid rising global tensions.
Trump’s influence remains a polarizing topic in transatlantic relations.
While many European leaders remain cautious about his leadership style, others continue to engage diplomatically, seeking to ensure that NATO’s security commitments endure regardless of shifts in Washington.
The controversy surrounding the “daddy” remark, though minor, reflects the sensitive dynamics at play when national pride, diplomatic language, and global strategy intersect on the world stage.
Rutte’s clarification is expected to ease tensions and refocus attention on more pressing issues discussed at the summit, including the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank and collective strategies for handling rising hostilities in the Middle East.