Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy — this time by sharing private text messages from a top international official.
The former president, now back in office, recently disclosed a message from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, sparking debate over the breach of diplomatic norms. The contents of the message, reportedly sent following Trump’s decision to authorize airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, include both praise and a veiled warning.
Trump’s renewed presence on the world stage has already made headlines, particularly for his aggressive trade policies and assertive foreign policy. The Iran strike drew mixed reactions globally — some world leaders commended the move as a bold step toward deterring nuclear proliferation, while others voiced concerns over the potential for escalating conflict.
Among the supporters was Rutte, who messaged Trump directly to commend his actions. According to The Telegraph, Rutte wrote:
“Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary, and something no one else dared to do. It makes us all safer.”
The message continued with reference to the ongoing NATO summit in the Netherlands, held on June 24. Rutte added:
“You are flying into another big success in The Hague this evening. It wasn’t easy but we’ve got them all signed onto 5 percent!”
The “5 percent” mentioned refers to a key demand from Trump — that NATO member states commit at least 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense spending. The agreement marks a significant shift in NATO’s military funding expectations, aligning closely with Trump’s longstanding push for greater financial contributions from allies.
While Trump’s supporters have praised the transparency and strength of his leadership, critics argue that sharing sensitive, private diplomatic communications could undermine trust among global leaders.
Rutte and Trump have a good working relationship with one another (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Elsewhere in Rutte’s gushing text to Trump, he spoke of what Europe should expect at this year’s NATO summit, writing: “You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done. Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win.”
In an update issued today (June 25), it was confirmed that the five percent has been agreed upon, meaning NATO member states will now spend five percent GDP annual on defense and security in the next decade, says BBC — European countries included.
Following the news, Rutte told summit-goers: “For too long, one ally, the United States, carried too much of the burden. That changes today.”
Also weighing in, Trump said the decision was a ‘great victory for everybody’.
The NATO official also spoke to reporters about his feelings on Trump sharing his private text messages, saying there was nothing in the message that needed to stay secret, and insisiting that without President Trump, the two percent target defense spending for all NATO countries would never have been reached.
