---
title: "White House video embraces Trump as 'daddy' after NATO chief's remark"
description: "BRUSSELS, June 26 (Reuters) - The White House embraced the moniker of \"daddy\" for Donald Trump in a video that it released after NATO chief Mark Rutte used the term in a conversation with the U.S. president."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-26-white-house-video-embraces-trump-as-daddy-after-nato-chiefs-remark/"
published: "2025-06-26T13:05:58"
updated: "2025-06-26T13:06:00"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 257
---

# White House video embraces Trump as 'daddy' after NATO chief's remark

> BRUSSELS, June 26 (Reuters) - The White House embraced the moniker of "daddy" for Donald Trump in a video that it released after NATO chief Mark Rutte used the term in a conversation with the U.S. president.

By Reuters · Published 26 June 2025, 15:05 SAST · Updated 26 June 2025, 15:06 SAST

## Key points
- In a NATO summit that felt more like a family therapy session, Dutch Secretary General Rutte cheekily dubbed the U.S. "daddy," prompting Trump to channel his inner Usher while navigating the fraught dynamics of international defense spending and Middle Eastern squabbles.
- The White House shared a playful video featuring Trump at the NATO summit, captioned "Daddy’s home," accompanied by Usher's song "Hey Daddy."
- Dutch Secretary General Rutte referred to Trump as "daddy" during the summit, highlighting the U.S.'s authoritative role in international relations.
- Trump criticized Israel and Iran for their ongoing conflict, using strong language to emphasize the need for a ceasefire.
- Rutte clarified that his "daddy" comment was metaphorical, reflecting how some allies view the U.S. in terms of support and responsibility.

## Content

"Daddy’s home," the White House [posted](https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1938053287535616085) on X, along with the video featuring the song "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)" by Usher and images of Trump at the [NATO summit](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL8N3SS0I9&linkedFromStory=true) in The Hague.

Rutte, the Dutch secretary general of the military alliance, used the word "daddy" in an appearance with Trump at Wednesday's summit after the U.S. president berated Israel and [Iran](https://www.reuters.com/world/iran/)over violations of a ceasefire, which later appeared to be holding.

In response, Rutte laughed and said: "And then daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get (them to) stop."

On Tuesday, Trump said Iran and Israel had been fighting "so long and so hard that they don't know what the fuck they're doing".

In an interview with Reuters after the summit, Rutte said he had used the word "daddy" to describe how some allies seem to view the United States, rather than about Trump specifically.

"In Europe, I hear sometimes countries saying, 'Hey, Mark, will the U.S. stay with us?' And I said that sounds a little bit like a small child asking his daddy, 'Hey, are you still staying with the family?'" Rutte said.

"So in that sense, I used daddy, (it's) not that I was calling President Trump daddy."

Asked if this meant other NATO members were like children who were now growing up after a [pledge](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL8N3SR22S&linkedFromStory=true) to spend more on defence, Rutte said they "already have grown up" but realised they had to step up and "equalise" defence spending with the United States.

(Reporting by Andrew Gray; editing by Mark Heinrich)