Trump heads to the NATO summit on the heels of a possible Israel-Iran ceasefire
Associated Press1 day
NATO Summit Begins at The Hague
Above: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Munich Security Conference CEO Benedikt Franke at the NATO Summit on June 24, 2025. Image copyright: Klaudia Radecka/NurPhoto/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump's NATO approach has worked. European allies freeloaded for years, missing GDP targets while America overpaid. His pressure sparked real change, showing an ability to deftly protect American interests in several different continents at once. Critics wrongly called him NATO's destroyer. Instead, he's its savior, demanding accountability that strengthens the alliance through true burden-sharing.
Pro-Europe narrative
European leaders must walk a tightrope at The Hague: placate Trump to prevent NATO walkout while building real continental defense. The 5% GDP pledge keeps Trump satisfied in the short-term, but Europe needs a long-term strategy for reduced U.S. involvement. Countries such as the U.K., France, Germany, and Poland must take the reins and ensure that they work alongside Washington, and not for it.
Establishment-critical narrative
NATO's war machine demands massive spending justified by fear mongering. This latest buildup targets Russia with disinformation while the establishment profits from militarization. Meanwhile, ordinary people protest NATO's complicity in widespread destruction. NATO chooses confrontation at every opportunity — it is time for the West to wake up and seek peace.