The President of the United States, Donald Trump, was once again the center of attention at the NATO summit, but this time it was not just for his controversial statements about Iran and Israel, but for enthusiastically adopting a new nickname: "Daddy."
The nickname emerged after a comment made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during the high-level meeting in The Hague.
In a relaxed tone, Rutte compared Trump to a paternal figure who “sometimes has to use strong language” to restore order, after the American president referred to the conflict between Iran and Israel as a “schoolyard fight” and used a strong outburst to describe the situation.
“Basically, we have two countries that have been fighting so much and so hard that they no longer know what they are doing,” Trump said on Tuesday before departing for the Netherlands.
“Daddy sometimes has to use strong language,” Rutte replied with a laugh.
The expression quickly went viral, and the White House itself joined the phenomenon by releasing a video of Trump at the summit accompanied by Usher's song "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)."
Trump, known for creating nicknames for both his allies and adversaries, did not miss the opportunity to adopt the label.
"He said it very affectionately, 'Daddy, you are my Daddy,'" the president joked in reference to Rutte.
Although the Dutch leader attempted to clarify his remarks later, arguing that he was referring to the relationship between the United States and Europe as that of a parent looking after their family, the nickname had already resonated in the media and on social networks.
This is not the first time Trump has seemed comfortable with this type of nickname. Golfer John Daly has admitted that he calls the president "Daddy" since they met in 1992, and in 2023, Trump echoed on his Truth Social network a comment in which Daly and other athletes expressed their desire to have "Daddy Trump" back.
The term has fueled the narrative of Trump as a strong and dominant figure on the international stage, especially following his recent decision to authorize attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, an action that Rutte described as "decisive" and "necessary" to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
During the summit, NATO allies agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a success that Rutte directly attributed to Trump's leadership. “This would not have happened if he had not been reelected,” he stated.
However, the episode was not without criticism. Some journalists questioned Rutte for his apparent "flattery" towards the U.S. president. Trump himself, true to his style, responded with a laugh: "He likes me. And if he doesn't like me, I'll let him know. And I'll hit him hard."
Meanwhile, the nickname "Daddy" continues to generate headlines and memes on social media, solidifying the unique communication style of the U.S. president, who is always ready to capitalize on any media episode to his advantage.
Frequently asked questions about Trump's nickname "Daddy" and the NATO summit
Why did Donald Trump adopt the nickname "Daddy" at the NATO summit?
Donald Trump adopted the nickname "Daddy" after a comment from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who in a light-hearted manner compared Trump to a paternal figure who uses strong language to impose order. This comment emerged during the NATO summit in The Hague, and Trump embraced it enthusiastically, leading to widespread virality of the term on social media.
How did social media react to Trump's nickname "Daddy"?
The nickname "Daddy" quickly went viral on social media, sparking a wave of memes and comments. The White House contributed to this virality by publishing a video of Trump at the summit accompanied by Usher's song "Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)." This situation further solidified Trump's unique communication style, which often capitalizes on media events to his advantage.
What was Trump's stance on the conflict between Iran and Israel during the NATO summit?
Trump described the conflict between Iran and Israel as a "schoolyard fight" and warned that war could resume soon despite the ceasefire. During the summit, he emphasized that U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were decisive for the current calm, although he pointed out the possibility of a new escalation of the conflict.
What impact did Trump's leadership have on NATO's decisions?
Trump's leadership was credited as key in NATO's decision to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that this agreement would not have been possible without Trump's reelection, highlighting his influence on the alliance's decisions.
Filed under:
