WASHINGTON — President Trump shared fawning messages from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Tuesday ahead of the president’s trip to the military alliance’s annual summit at The Hague.
“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,” said Rutte — the former Dutch prime minister who some commentators have dubbed “The Trump Whisperer” due to his rapport with the US president — in one glowing text message posted on Truth Social.
Rutte then added that Trump, 79, would be “flying into another big success in The Hague this evening.”
“It was not easy but we’ve got them all signed onto 5 percent! Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe, and the world,” the secretary general gushed. “You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done.”
On Monday, Rutte announced that NATO members are expected to approve a plan that would raise the bloc’s benchmark defense spending figure to 5% of GDP by 2035 — from the long-recommended 2%.
The move was pushed by Trump for years, as he insisted that European nations provide for their own defense without relying on the US.
The Spanish government has already said the target is “unreasonable,” while Slovakia said it reserves the right to decide how to reach the target by the deadline.
“Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win,” Rutte’s messages to Trump concluded. “Safe travels and see you at His Majesty’s dinner!”
A White House official confirmed to The Post that the text messages posted by the president were “authentic” and said they were “transmitted through staff on a government device.”
Rutte, 58, shrugged off Trump’s disclosure, telling reporters: “I have absolutely no trouble or problem with that because there’s nothing in it which had to stay secret.”
While Rutte relayed enthusiasm for Trump’s arrival, the president took a more ambiguous tone about the 32-member alliance with reporters.
“Depends on your definition,” he said on Air Force One when asked whether the US would come to any NATO member’s defense if attacked — a circumstance prescribed by Article 5 of the alliance’s charter.
“There’s numerous definitions of Article 5. You know that, right? But I’m committed to being their friends. You know, I’ve become friends with many of those leaders, and I’m committed to helping them.”
“There’s a problem with Spain,” Trump added, referring to the Madrid government balking at the new spending target. “Spain is not agreeing, which is very unfair to the rest of them, frankly.”
Britain, France and Germany have committed to the 5% goal, along with Rutte’s home nation of the Netherlands.
