Rutte defends warm "daddy" nickname for Trump amid questions on authority

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed questions about his distinctive communication style with U.S. President Donald Trump during a final press conference at the summit in The Hague.

Earlier that day, Rutte had referred to Trump as “daddy,” prompting some to question whether such familiarity undermined his own authority.

Rutte commented on Donald Trump’s remarks about the conflict between Israel and Iran. Trump had compared the two countries to quarrelling children and stated that both sides violated the ceasefire.

"They fight like hell. You can't stop them. Let them fight for about two, three minutes. Then it's easier to stop them," Trump said.

Rutte then commented: "Then daddy has to sometimes use strong language."

Responding to concerns that his approach might make him appear weak, Rutte said, “No, I don’t think so. It’s a matter of taste. But I consider him a good friend. He does his job by pushing us to strengthen our defence investments.”

Rutte also expressed scepticism that the positive outcomes achieved at the summit would have been possible without Trump’s re-election.

He pointed to the progress NATO member states have made in defence spending, stating, “When several countries aimed to reach the 2% target around 2020 but only achieved it in the last five months — doesn’t that deserve high praise?”

In addition, Rutte recalled Trump’s “decisive actions” regarding Iran, emphasising the former president’s efforts to prevent the country from acquiring nuclear weapons.

By Tamilla Hasanova