During the NATO Summit in The Hague on Wednesday, a lighthearted moment captured global attention when NATO Chief Mark Rutte referred to President Donald Trump as “daddy.”
The playful exchange contrasted with the serious discussions underway, including key talks on defense commitments and the delicate ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
At a press conference concluding his participation in the summit, Trump was asked about Rutte’s unusual nickname.
With a smile, he responded, “No, he likes me, I think he likes me! If he doesn’t, I’ll let you know and come back and hit him hard, OK?”
Trump added that Rutte’s words were said “very affectionately,” repeating the phrase, “‘Daddy, you’re my daddy.’”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, known for his usually reserved public demeanor, was present and visibly amused, breaking into laughter during the exchange.
The nickname stemmed from earlier conversations during a bilateral meeting between Trump and Rutte, where the two leaders focused on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
Trump expressed frustration with the prolonged fighting during a Tuesday press briefing, telling reporters, “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing,” as Resist the Mainstream