In a moment that no one saw coming, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has openly praised Donald Trump, giving him unexpected credit for pushing NATO allies to increase their military spending. The surprising comment has sparked intense reactions globally — from strong approval to heated debates — and has put Trump’s controversial past with NATO back in the spotlight.
During a recent press briefing, Stoltenberg said what many thought they’d never hear from a top NATO leader: that Trump’s pressure actually worked. He explained that Trump’s strong demands for other NATO countries to pay more for their defense were not just loud rhetoric — they had real impact. “President Trump’s message was clear,” Stoltenberg stated. “And now, the allies are delivering.”
For years, Trump had criticized NATO, claiming that the United States was carrying an unfair share of the defense burden while other countries weren’t meeting their commitments. He regularly slammed European nations for not spending the required 2% of their GDP on defense, and even threatened to pull the U.S. out of the alliance unless things changed.
At the time, many leaders were alarmed by his words. Some feared that his approach would weaken the alliance or damage diplomatic relationships. But today, Stoltenberg is saying that Trump’s tough stance may have been exactly what was needed.
According to recent NATO data, defense spending has increased by over $450 billion among member countries since 2016, the year Trump was elected. That’s a massive jump — and many believe it wouldn’t have happened without the pressure Trump applied.
The NATO chief emphasized that the alliance needs strength more than ever, especially with rising threats from Russia, ongoing war in Ukraine, cyberattacks, and increasing tensions with China. “Unity and readiness are key,” Stoltenberg said. “And that requires commitment — in words and in funding.”
Trump supporters are calling this a huge win, using Stoltenberg’s praise as proof that the former president delivered real results on the world stage. On the other hand, critics argue that Trump’s aggressive style damaged international trust, and say any progress came at a cost to diplomacy.
Still, with the U.S. presidential election coming up in 2024, this statement is already being used in political discussions. If Trump returns to power, many wonder how his second term could reshape NATO once again.
