Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would no longer exist if not for his actions during his presidency. In a statement shared on social media, Trump asserted his pivotal role in the survival and strengthening of the military alliance.
The politician emphasized that no other head of state has exerted as much effort toward the development and sustainability of the organization. "If I had not come along, there would be no NATO right now! The alliance would have been buried in the archives of history. This is a bitter truth," Trump stated, highlighting his influence on the bloc's current status.
During his tenure in the White House, Trump frequently criticized NATO member states for failing to meet the agreed-upon defense spending target of 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). His "America First" approach often involved threats to reduce US support unless other members increased their financial contributions. While controversial at the time, these pressures led several member nations to significantly boost their defense budgets, a trend that has continued as global security dynamics evolve. NATO, established in 1949, remains a cornerstone of Western collective defense, currently consisting of 32 member states following the recent accessions of Finland and Sweden.
