Trump calls out 'failing New York Times' for embarrassing NATO error in paper

President slams newspaper for misidentifying NATO as 'North American Treaty Organization' in print edition

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

President Donald Trump has criticized the New York Times after the newspaper ran an embarrassing correction for misidentifying NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as the 'North American Treaty Organization' in a print edition headline. Trump took to Truth Social to lambast the Times for the gaffe, calling it an example of the paper's 'lack of credibility' and 'constant Fake News attacks' on him.

Why it matters

The error comes at a sensitive time for NATO, as the military alliance has faced criticism from Trump over member nations' refusal to join the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Times' mistake could further erode public trust in the media's ability to accurately report on important geopolitical issues.

The details

In his Truth Social post, Trump mocked the Times for the 'interesting mistake,' saying the 'hiring and educational standards have gone way down' at the newspaper. He called for the Times to return to its old slogan of 'All the News That's Fit to Print' and to 'Make America Great Again.' The Times acknowledged the error in a correction, stating it 'misstated the full name of the body' as the 'North American Treaty Organization' instead of the correct 'North Atlantic Treaty Organization.'

  • The Times published the incorrect NATO headline on April 4, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has frequently criticized the New York Times and other media outlets for what he sees as biased and inaccurate reporting.

The New York Times

A major American newspaper that published an incorrect headline misidentifying NATO as the 'North American Treaty Organization' in its print edition.

Mark Rutte

The current Secretary General of NATO, who is scheduled to meet with President Trump in Washington next week to discuss the standoff between the U.S. and NATO member nations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'The Failing New York Times, whose lack of credibility, and their constant Fake News attacks on your favorite President, ME, has caused its circulation to absolutely PLUMMET, referred to our severely weakened and extremely unreliable 'partner,'NATO, as the North American Treaty Organization.'”

— Donald Trump, Former President of the United States

“'The correct name is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization – A very interesting mistake! The hiring and educational standards have gone way down at the NYT. Bring back, 'ALL THE NEWS THAT'S FIT TO PRINT' and, Make America Great Again! President DJT.'”

— Donald Trump, Former President of the United States

What’s next

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled to meet with President Trump in Washington next week to discuss the standoff between the U.S. and NATO member nations over issues like the Iran attack and the Strait of Hormuz.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between President Trump and the media, particularly the New York Times, which he has frequently accused of 'fake news' and biased reporting. The Times' embarrassing error in misidentifying NATO could further erode public trust in the media's ability to accurately cover important geopolitical issues, especially at a time when NATO is facing internal divisions.