NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called U.S. President Donald Trump "Daddy" on Wednesday.
He was responding to Trump’s use of expletives while talking about Iran and Israel violating a ceasefire agreement.
Trump likened Iran and Israel to “two kids in a school yard” who had a “big fight” at a meeting with Rutte during the NATO Summit in The Hague in the Netherlands.
Highlights
- NATO’s Mark Rutte called Trump 'Daddy' during the summit in The Hague.
- The comment came as Trump was discussing Iran and Israel both reportedly breaking a ceasefire agreement.
- Trump had earlier ranted to reporters that neither Israel or Iran knew "what the f**k" they were doing.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called Donald Trump "Daddy" during the summit
Image credits: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
"You know, they fight like hell. You can't stop them. Let them fight for about two-three minutes, then it's easy to stop them," Trump said.
Rutte interjected: "Daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get them to stop."
"You have to use strong language," Trump agreed. "Every so often you have to use a certain word."
One day earlier, Trump had told reporters that Iran and Israel "don’t know what the f**k they’re doing," after both countries accused the other of violating a ceasefire.
Speaking at a press conference later on Wednesday, Trump said Rutte’s nickname was meant affectionately.
When asked if he sees his NATO allies as his children, Trump responded: "No, [Rutte] likes me. I think he likes me. If he doesn't, I'll let you know.
"I'll come back and I'll hit him hard, OK? He did it very affectionately, 'Daddy, you're my Daddy.'"
Former Dutch Prime Minister Rutte later called Trump a "good friend" and defended his use of the word "Daddy," saying, "I think it’s a bit of a question of taste."
Rutte, who was selected as NATO’s chief civil servant and diplomat last year, had earlier sent Trump a long text message congratulating him for his "decisive action" in commanding U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump consequently shared screenshots of the text message on social media.
In the message, Rutte said Trump was “flying into another big success in The Hague” – referencing the agreement for NATO members to up their defense spending to five percent of GDP.
“Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe, and the world. You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done,” Rutte wrote in the message.
“Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win. Safe travels and see you at His Majesty’s dinner!”
Rutte said Trump deserves all the praise
Image credits: Donald J Trump
NATO confirmed that the message came from Rutte and was sent Tuesday.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Rutte was asked if he thinks he has to act with flattery and praise when dealing with Trump, and if that makes him look weak.
He doubled down on his appreciation, saying “he [Trump] deserves all the praise.”
“For example, when it comes to making more investments, would you ever think that this would be the result of this summit if he had not been re-elected president?” Rutte told reporters. “So doesn’t he deserve some grace?”
Image credits: The White House/ Flickr
During Trump’s first term eight years ago, he spoke at a NATO summit and criticized other countries for “not paying what they should be paying” for their own defense.
He complained that many NATO countries weren’t even meeting the 2% spending goal, which he called unfair to American taxpayers.
This year, the 32 NATO members have promised to more than double their military spending, and Trump is getting credit for pushing them to do so.
Now, each NATO member will spend 5% of their economy (GDP) on defense.
Rutte said the change is necessary and every country needs to pay its fair share to help keep everyone safe.
“For too long, one ally, the U.S., carried too much of the burden of that commitment, and that changes today,” Rutte said.