Trump’s new nickname was given by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte as the two leaders discussed the US role during the Israel-Iran conflict.
At the 2025 NATO Summit in the Netherlands, U.S. President Donald Trump was unexpectedly given a new nickname — “Daddy.” The name came from NATO Secretary-General and former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during a lighthearted exchange as the two discussed the U.S. role in the recent Israel-Iran conflict.
A moment of levity unfolded when a Sky News journalist asked Trump during a press conference,
“Mark Rutte, the NATO chief and your friend, called you ‘Daddy’ earlier. Do you regard your NATO allies as kind of children?”
The question prompted laughter across the room. Trump smiled and replied:
“No, he 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 added that Rutte had used the term affectionately.
As Trump chuckled, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were seen laughing alongside him at the exchange.
NATO Supports Trump and Boosts Defence Spending
Despite the jokes, the summit carried serious undertones. Trump’s return to the international stage has stirred concerns among Western allies about the future of NATO and America’s commitment to the alliance.
When asked again if he views NATO allies as his “children,” Trump clarified:
“I think they need a little help at the beginning. But I think they’ll manage, and they’re going to remember this day — it’s a big day for NATO.”
Indeed, the summit concluded with NATO members agreeing to a significant increase in defense spending. Trump celebrated the move, saying:
“One of the gentlemen said, ‘We’ve been trying to raise the rate for 30 years,’ and he said, ‘until you came along, it didn’t happen. What you did was amazing.’ It’s been an amazing day for a lot of reasons.”
White House Joins the Joke
Adding to the light-hearted buzz, the White House posted a video on social media showing Trump at the summit, soundtracked by Usher’s Daddy’s Home, embracing the viral moment.
