President Donald Trump has sharply increased his criticism of NATO in recent days, suggesting he is seriously considering pulling the United States out of the military alliance. His comments come after several NATO members refused to provide strong support during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
In an interview with the British newspaper The Telegraph, published on Wednesday, Trump was asked if he would reconsider America’s membership in NATO following the war. He replied, “Oh yes, I would say it’s beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.”
He made similar strong remarks in an interview with Reuters. Trump said he is “absolutely” thinking about trying to withdraw the U.S. from the alliance. He also previewed that he would criticize NATO during his primetime address to the nation later that evening.
“They haven’t been friends when we needed them,” Trump told Reuters. “We’ve never asked them for much … it’s a one-way street.”
Background: Tension Over the Iran Conflict
The friction stems from NATO countries’ reluctance to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil that Iran largely closed in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes. Without access to this waterway, some European nations have faced shortages of jet fuel and higher energy costs.
Trump has repeatedly scolded allies for not stepping up. On Tuesday, he posted on Truth Social urging countries struggling with fuel supplies to “build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.” He added that the U.S. would no longer help them if they failed to support America now, just as they “weren’t there for us.”
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told CNN that President Trump has clearly expressed his disappointment with NATO and other allies. She noted that “the United States will remember.”
Longstanding Skepticism Toward NATO
Trump’s latest statements fit a pattern of criticism he has voiced for years. NATO is built on the idea of collective defense: an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Article 5 of the treaty has been used only once — after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States — when allies joined the war in Afghanistan and more than 1,100 non-American troops died.
Even so, Trump has often questioned whether NATO partners would truly help the U.S. if needed. He has pointed to the alliance’s limited role in the current Iran conflict and past operations, including in Ukraine, as evidence of imbalance. While the U.S. has provided some intelligence and allowed European purchases of American weapons for Ukraine, no major new U.S. aid packages have been approved since the Biden era.
In the Telegraph interview, Trump also took shots at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He mocked Britain’s navy, saying the country “doesn’t even have a navy” and criticizing its aging aircraft carriers. Trump added that Starmer seems more focused on “costly windmills” (referring to renewable energy projects) that he claims are raising energy prices.
Starmer responded by calling NATO “the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen” and said Britain would not be “dragged into” the war with Iran.
Legal Questions About Withdrawal
Whether Trump can actually remove the U.S. from NATO without congressional approval remains unclear and likely to spark debate. A 2023 law, passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act and co-sponsored by then-Senator Marco Rubio (now Secretary of State) and Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, requires Senate approval or an act of Congress for any withdrawal.
Some legal experts point to a 2020 Justice Department opinion suggesting the president has broad authority over treaties. However, Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican and top member of the Senate NATO Observer Group, has stated clearly that “the president of the United States cannot withdraw from NATO” without Congress. He added that a president could still weaken the alliance in practice by reducing support or cooperation.
What This Means
Trump’s strong words have surprised many in Europe and raised concerns about the future of transatlantic security. NATO has been a cornerstone of Western defense for over 75 years, helping prevent major conflicts in Europe. Critics worry that a U.S. pullback — or even the threat of one — could encourage adversaries like Russia while leaving European nations more vulnerable.
Supporters of Trump’s position argue that the U.S. has carried too much of the burden for too long and that allies should contribute more fairly, especially when American interests are at stake.
As the Iran conflict continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, Trump’s upcoming address is expected to offer more details on his thinking. For now, his comments have put NATO on notice: the days of automatic U.S. support may be under serious review.
