NATO Chief Rutte Refers to Trump as 'Daddy' in Discussion on 'Strong Language'

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – During a summit in The Hague on June 25, 2025, a notable exchange occurred between NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and former US President Donald Trump. The discussion touched upon international disputes and the use of strong diplomatic language. Mr. Trump, reflecting on conflicts between nations, remarked, "They're not going to be fighting each other. They've had it. They've had a big fight, like two kids in a school yard. You know, they fight like hell. You can't stop them, let them fight for about 2 or 3 minutes, then it's easy to stop them." In response, Secretary General Rutte added, "And then daddy has to sometimes do strong language." Mr. Trump affirmed, "You have to use strong language, every once in a while, you have to use a certain word." This interaction highlights the differing, yet sometimes complementary, perspectives on international diplomacy and the role of leadership in de-escalating or managing global tensions.