President Trump seemed to get red-faced after a reporter asked him about a comment made by NATO's Secretary General, Mark Rutte, calling the U.S. President "daddy."

Jack Hobbs

11:58 ET, 25 Jun 2025

President Donald Trump seemed to get red-faced after a reporter asked him about a comment made by NATO's Secretary General, Mark Rutte, calling the U.S. President "daddy."(Image: Getty Images)

President Donald Trump seemed to get red-faced after a reporter asked him about a comment made by NATO's Secretary General, Mark Rutte, calling the U.S. President "daddy." The question happened while Trump addressed members of the press just before departing the Netherlands for Washington, DC.

"Mark Rutte, the NATO chief, who is your friend, he called you 'daddy' earlier," the journalist said. "Do you regard your NATO allies as kind of children?"

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The comment seemingly caused Trump to blush and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to bend over and laugh. "No, he likes me, I think he likes me," Trump said, giggling. "If he doesn't, I'll let you know. I'll come back and I'll hit him hard, ok?"

Article continues belowREAD MORE: Lip reader reveals world leaders' brutal 6-letter gossip about Trump at NATO summitREAD MORE: Donald Trump dementia fears spike after 'symptom' spotted in President's suitThe question happened while Trump addressed members of the press just before departing the Netherlands for Washington, DC. (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

According to Trump, Rutte said the term "very affectionately." He continued, "You're my daddy." The journalist, however, remained determined to get an answer from the official.

"But do you regard your NATO allies as sort of like children, and they are obviously listening to you, and their spending more, and you're obviously really appreciative of that," she questioned. " But do you hope that they are actually able to defend themselves and defend Europe on their own?"

According to Trump, Rutte said the term "very affectionately."(Image: Getty Images)

"I think they need a little help at the beginning," Trump answered. "And I think they will be able to, and I think they are gonna remember this day and this is a big day for NATO."

"This was a very big day," Trump continued. "One of the gentlemen said, 'You know what, we've been trying to raise the rate for 30 years,' and he's been there a long time, and he said, 'until you came along and it happened. What you did was amazing.' It's been sort of an amazing day for a lot of reasons."

The journalist, however, remained determined to get an answer from the official. (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

But the journalist remained determined. "Can they do it without you, in the future?" pushed the journalist. Trump quickly commented that she would "have to ask Mark."

This is this not the first time the journalist asked about the comment. Hours before, the very same journalist slammed Rutte for the comment for allegedly making him sound "weak."

Hours before, the very same journalist slammed Rutte for the comment for allegedly making him sound "weak." (Image: Getty Images)

"The language that you have used when talking to Donald Trump has been notable because of its flattery," the reporter said. "Today, you called him 'daddy,' and you sent a text message to him that was gutting with praise."

"Is this the way you feel that you have to act when doing business with the U.S. president — through flattery and praise? Isn't it a bit demeaning? And doesn't it make you look weak?" she asked.

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"Daddy has to sometimes use strong language," Rutte responded. According to Rutte, he doesn't think the comment makes him appear weak — instead, he said, "it's a bit of a question of taste."

"I think he is a good friend, and when he is doing stuff which is forcing us to — for example, when it comes to making more investments — I mean, would you ever think that this would be the result of this summit, if he would not have been reelected president?" he demanded. "Do you really think that seven or eight countries would suggest somewhere in the 2030s, we might meet 2%? We've now all decided in the last four or five months to get to 2%. Doesn't he deserve some grace?"

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