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Trump may discuss withdrawing NATO membership with alliance's chief, White House says

08 April 2026 23:00 (UTC +04:00)

President Donald Trump said today that NATO allies “were tested and failed” when he launched a war with Iran and they did not come to the United States’ aid, according to a statement relayed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, APA reports citing CNN.

“And I would add, it’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the course of the last six weeks, when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense,” Trump added, according to a statement Leavitt read at a press briefing today.

Trump is set to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office this afternoon. Leavitt said the president looks forward to having a “very frank and candid conversation” with Rutte.

When asked if the US was still considering withdrawing from NATO, Leavitt said “it’s something the president has discussed and I think it’s something the president will be discussing in a couple of hours with Secretary General Rutte.”