European allies react with 'shock and anxiety' to Trump threat to withdraw from NATO

[rangerrebew]

European allies react with 'shock and anxiety' to Trump threat to withdraw from NATO
The Israeli- and U.S.-lad conflict with Iran is causing an 'existential' rift among members of the 77-year-old NATO alliance

 
By Eric J. Lyman in Rome
Published: April 2, 2026 4:36am

Updated: April 2, 2026 4:38am

 
European media responded to President Donald Trump’s remarks about the United States leaving NATO as an “existential threat” to the 77-year-old security alliance.

Speaking with The Telegraph, a right-of-center British daily newspaper, Trump called the alliance a “paper tiger” and said he was “strongly considering” withdrawing from the 32-nation pact. Trump’s comments come after repeated criticisms of NATO member states for not joining the Israeli- and U.S.-led conflict with Iran.

In the latest developments, Spain, France, and Italy refused U.S. access to their military bases or airspace for military actions against Iran.

“I was never swayed by NATO,” Trump said. “I always knew they were a paper tiger, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin knows that, too.”

Thirty of 32 NATO member states are in Europe (the U.S. and Canada are the exceptions). Israel is not a member of the alliance.

https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/all-things-trump/european-allies-react-trump-threat-withdraw-nato?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators

[rangerrebew]

The reason they react with shock and anxiety shows why they react that way.  TTWWADI!!  They think they can react to Trump like they always have to other US Presidents = He'll change.  Their thinking is 70 years old.

[rangerrebew]

https://thenationalpulse.com/2026/04/01/reevaluating-everything-u-s-nato-ambassador-confirms-trump-could-exit-alliance/

[catfish1957]

Kind of like when the freeloading relative finally finds out that the gig's up. 

NATO was a great idea when Europe was staring to the east of a menacing USSR. 

Now, the Bear has shrunk all the way down to the 9th largest in the world in GDP, while a unified EU is not far below ours.  The whole notion and philosophy of NATO is outdated. 

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Kind of like when the freeloading relative finally finds out that the gig's up. 

NATO was a great idea when Europe was staring to the east of a menacing USSR. 

Now, the Bear has shrunk all the way down to the 9th largest in the world in GDP, while a unified EU is not far below ours.  The whole notion and philosophy of NATO is outdated.

Yes to all.

The reason it is outdated is the US has been the only superpower in the world for the past 35 years and our attention and $ needs to be placed to combat the aspiring superpower China who has tentacles around the world rather than concern ourselves with Russia.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

The writer must be thinking the job of being a Senator is more important than SOS

NATO Isn’t an Alliance, It’s a European Welfare Program Funded by American Taxpayers: Rubio
April 2, 2026

Senator Marco Rubio raised concerns about the United States’ role in NATO following an incident in which allied nations denied U.S. access to military bases, prompting renewed scrutiny over the structure and benefits of the decades-old alliance.

Rubio outlined his concerns in remarks addressing what he described as a lack of reciprocal support from NATO allies during a time of need, arguing that the situation raises broader questions about the effectiveness of the alliance for U.S. interests.

“We need them to allow us to use their military bases? Their answer is no. Then, why are we in NATO? You have to ask that question,” Rubio said.

The senator pointed to the long-standing financial and military commitments made by the United States to support NATO operations and maintain a presence across Europe. He noted that the U.S. has committed significant resources to the alliance over the years, including funding, personnel, and infrastructure.

“Why do we have billions and billions of dollars, hundreds of billions of dollars over the years, trillions of dollars, and all these American forces stationed in the region?” Rubio said.

Rubio argued that if U.S. forces are restricted from using allied bases during critical moments, it raises questions about the strategic value of those investments.

“If we can only use we can in our time of need, we’re not going to be allowed to use those bases,” he said. https://www.lifezette.com/2026/04/nato-isnt-an-alliance-its-a-european-welfare-program-funded-by-american-taxpayers-rubio-watch/#google_vignette

[DefiantMassRINO]

The Donfather views NATO as his "Murder, Inc." - a crew of "button-men" that can be pushed on demand.

It hasn't occurred to the Donfather that NATO is not part of his crime family, rather NATO is a commission that rules over all NATO crime families, with the US playing the role of the Gambinos.

A spoiled rich brat is throwing a tantrum because someone else won't cleanup his mess.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

France would have remained in German hands if the other Allies would have followed Macron's logic during WW2.

We may have made a mistake sending so many thousands of our young soldiers to Europe to die so they could be free again.

Europe cannot be trusted to support the US.

Macron says it is unrealistic to open Hormuz Strait by force

April 2 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron ‌said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S. President Donald Trump challenged U.S. allies to work towards reopening it.
Thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since February ​28, when the U.S. and Israel struck Iran, triggering Iranian attacks on Israel, U.S. bases and ​Gulf states and Tehran effectively closing the waterway that carries about a fifth of global ⁠oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

"Some people defend the idea of freeing the Strait of Hormuz by ​force via a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States, although it has varied," Macron told ​reporters during a trip to South Korea.

MACRON HIGHLIGHTS RISKS OF MILITARY OPERATION
"This was never the option we have supported because it is unrealistic," he said. "It would take forever, and would expose all those who go through the Strait to risks from the Revolutionary ​Guards but also ballistic missiles," he said.
Macron, who has worked with European and other allies to build a ​coalition to guarantee free passage through Hormuz once hostilities have stopped, said this could only be done by talking to Iran.
https://www.reuters.com/world/macron-says-it-is-unrealistic-open-hormuz-strait-by-force-2026-04-02/

[DCPatriot]

The Donfather views NATO as his "Murder, Inc." - a crew of "button-men" that can be pushed on demand.

It hasn't occurred to the Donfather that NATO is not part of his crime family, rather NATO is a commission that rules over all NATO crime families, with the US playing the role of the Gambinos.

A spoiled rich brat is throwing a tantrum because someone else won't cleanup his mess.

Boy oh Boy....you got it bad   

[Cyber Liberty]

Boy oh Boy....you got it bad   

I was wondering if it was just me....

[Cyber Liberty]

France would have remained in German hands if the other Allies would have followed Macron's logic during WW2.

We may have made a mistake sending so many thousands of our young soldiers to Europe to die so they could be free again.

Europe cannot be trusted to support the US.

Macron says it is unrealistic to open Hormuz Strait by force

April 2 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron ‌said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S. President Donald Trump challenged U.S. allies to work towards reopening it.
Thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since February ​28, when the U.S. and Israel struck Iran, triggering Iranian attacks on Israel, U.S. bases and ​Gulf states and Tehran effectively closing the waterway that carries about a fifth of global ⁠oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

"Some people defend the idea of freeing the Strait of Hormuz by ​force via a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States, although it has varied," Macron told ​reporters during a trip to South Korea.

MACRON HIGHLIGHTS RISKS OF MILITARY OPERATION
"This was never the option we have supported because it is unrealistic," he said. "It would take forever, and would expose all those who go through the Strait to risks from the Revolutionary ​Guards but also ballistic missiles," he said.
Macron, who has worked with European and other allies to build a ​coalition to guarantee free passage through Hormuz once hostilities have stopped, said this could only be done by talking to Iran.
https://www.reuters.com/world/macron-says-it-is-unrealistic-open-hormuz-strait-by-force-2026-04-02/

Vichy France was perfectly OK with being run by Nazi Germany.

[Free Vulcan]

Kind of like when the freeloading relative finally finds out that the gig's up. 

That's what it is, and that's all it is. They know if the US leaves NATO then the free ride is over, and all their free bennies are no longer financially sustainable if they don't want to be conquered.

Upside is the in-country Muzzie immigrants no longer have a funding source and incentive to stay.

[verga]

The Donfather views NATO as his "Murder, Inc." - a crew of "button-men" that can be pushed on demand.

It hasn't occurred to the Donfather that NATO is not part of his crime family, rather NATO is a commission that rules over all NATO crime families, with the US playing the role of the Gambinos.

A spoiled rich brat is throwing a tantrum because someone else won't cleanup his mess.

NATO has not been pulling their weight for years now. Not so long ago Trump had to point out the discrepancy between what they owe and waqht they have been paying. Add to that all of the Foreign aid we have given them to bail them out of stupid decisions over the years, and we have seen very little ROI.

[BobfromWB]

That's what it is, and that's all it is. They know if the US leaves NATO then the free ride is over, and all their free bennies are no longer financially sustainable if they don't want to be conquered.

Upside is the in-country Muzzie immigrants no longer have a funding source and incentive to stay.

They will continue the free stuff because they know that they can make a deal with Russia, which they know Russia will honor. And if it does not, they they will make another deal ... etc.