Trump Criticizes NATO, Doubts Its Relevance

Former president questions alliance's ability to support US in major conflicts

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:32am

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Former US President Donald Trump has harshly criticized NATO, arguing the transatlantic alliance is outdated and may not back the US in a major war. In comments made during a White House Easter lunch, Trump said recent military operations have exposed deep weaknesses within NATO.

Why it matters

Trump's comments represent a continued shift in US foreign policy, with the former president long questioning the value and necessity of traditional alliances like NATO. His remarks add to ongoing debates about NATO's role and effectiveness in addressing modern global threats and conflicts.

The details

During his remarks, Trump stated that the US has had "very bad allies in NATO" and that the alliance may not support the US in a major war. The former president has previously criticized NATO members for not meeting defense spending targets, arguing the US bears an outsized burden for the alliance's operations.

  • Trump made the comments during a White House Easter lunch on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who served from 2017 to 2021.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance of 30 European and North American countries formed in 1949 to promote transatlantic security.

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What they’re saying

“We've had some very bad allies in NATO”

— Donald Trump, Former US President

The takeaway

Trump's criticism of NATO reflects his longstanding skepticism of traditional US alliances and multilateral institutions, a view that has continued to shape the debate around America's global role and relationships.