White House · Iran · NATO · Donald Trump · U.S. · Axios
State of play: Fears are growing in Europe that Trump's contempt will show up where it matters most: America's military
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe last month, blasting allies as "shameful" for refusing to grant base access for the Iran strikes.
Key facts
- President Trump arrives at Tuesday's NATO summit in Ankara still furious at the allies who refused to help him fight Iran, and determined to make sure they know it
- For years, Trump has openly questioned whether America's closest allies are strong enough, loyal enough or useful enough to deserve the protection they've relied on since World War II
- Trump, who said he had considered skipping the NATO summit entirely, brushed it off: "We don't need their money, we don't need anything," he said
- Fears are growing in Europe that Trump's contempt will show up where it matters most: America's military footprint
Summary
President Trump arrives at Tuesday's NATO summit in Ankara still furious at the allies who refused to help him fight Iran, and determined to make sure they know it. For years, Trump has openly questioned whether America's closest allies are strong enough, loyal enough or useful enough to deserve the protection they've relied on since World War II. Some allies' refusal to open air bases for U.S. strikes on Iran, or to send forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, has hardened his NATO skepticism into open contempt. Trump has spent the weeks since the Iran war publicly humiliating Europe's leaders, including those who once believed their personal rapport could shield them from his wrath. He has mocked Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, claiming she "begged" him for a photo at the G7.