Trump: Let’s Face It, NATO Is Useless

Let the record state that I do not necessarily agree with this sentiment. However, there is little doubt that it’s getting harder to rebut it, too. 

Donald Trump vented his spleen a few minutes ago in a White House press avail at the refusal of NATO partners to help secure commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Shortly before that, Trump vented on Truth Social about the necessity of handling that alone, despite the long-declared admonitions of all our partners about allowing Iran to build a nuclear weapon. His unhappiness extended to nearly all of our strategic partners outside of the Gulf states:

The United States has been informed by most of our NATO “Allies” that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon. I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need. Fortunately, we have decimated Iran’s Military — Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again! Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer “need,” or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP

Just how useless is NATO? Our allies are key to the coordination of intelligence and diplomatic initiatives, and a deterrent to Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. Other than that, however, the value has become debatable. How debatable? Well, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to help with security in the Strait of Hormuz … just as soon as the threat entirely disappears. And as long as Iran approved:

France is prepared to help lead an “escort system” for oil tankers and container ships in the Strait of Hormuz, but only “once the core of the airstrikes has ended,” French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday.

Macron, speaking at a French defense council meeting, said France has begun discussions with countries in the region, as well as with India and European allies, on how to set up an escort system that is “fully distinct from war operations.” He added that such a system will require “discussions and deconfliction with Iran” and wouldn’t be done by force.

So France will provide escorts only when no ship is at risk of coming under fire? Quelle courage! That’s as useful as screen doors on submarines, and substantially more pusillanimous. 

Trump blasted Macron and the rest of NATO while meeting with Ireland’s taoiseach (prime minister) for the traditional St. Patrick’s Day state visit. While Michael Martin sat uncomfortably next to the president, Trump blasted his European counterparts for their fair-weather friendship. While asserting that the US didn’t need help in finishing off the threats to shipping from Iran, the request to participate provided the US a test of NATO’s cooperation … and they failed it:

Pres. Trump said he believes NATO is making a “very foolish mistake” in not helping the U.S. in the war with Iran.

“I’ve long said that, I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So, this was a great test. Because we don’t need them, but they should have been… pic.twitter.com/RaqKWq3XvA

— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 17, 2026

“I’ve long said that, I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So, this was a great test. Because we don’t need them, but they should have been there.”

Trump had something to say about Macron, too:

Trump on Macron:

He’ll be out of office very soon. pic.twitter.com/QBupIuoB7U

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 17, 2026

Trump ally Lindsey Graham went on X/Twitter to blast Europe for failing to recognize the need for unity in this moment. He warned NATO partners that Trump will not forget and may not forgive either:

Graham wrote on X after speaking with Trump that he had “never heard him so angry,” pointing to what he described as Europe’s unwillingness to contribute assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz open despite its importance to global energy markets. The White House referred The Wall Street Journal to a TruthSocial post from Trump saying: “We no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance.”

Graham sharply criticized European governments, accusing them of downplaying the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions and failing to share the burden of military action. “The arrogance of our allies… is beyond offensive,” Graham said, arguing that Europe has treated preventing a nuclear-armed Iran as primarily a U.S. responsibility.

The South Carolina Republican, who has been among the most vocal proponents of the U.S. operation in Iran, warned that the consequences of allied inaction could be significant for both Europe and the U.S. “The repercussions… are going to be wide and deep,” he said.

The allies in question might have some complaints about the arrogance of Trump in choosing to go to war with Iran without full consultation in the first place. That’s a valid criticism, but that doesn’t negate the point Trump makes here either, both with these allies and with Democrats in Congress. Everyone liked declaring that Iran was a dire threat and that their acquisition of nuclear weapons was unacceptable. No one, however, wanted to ever do anything about it except attempt to appease Iran out of their nuclear ambitions, a strategy that clearly had failed. That’s pretty much the definition of uselessness, especially after Iran created a stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, the only use for which was in nuclear weapons. 

The nations of Europe have proven themselves willing only to assist when they face no risk whatsoever. Until that changes, it’s pretty tough to argue for NATO’s value outside of a debating society. 

Editor’s Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.

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