Transatlantic rift widens as Trump lashes out at NATO
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Trump threatens to withdraw U.S. from NATO, widening rift with European allies over military strategy.
How This Affects You
A NATO withdrawal could weaken U.S. security commitments in Europe and potentially increase defense costs for allied nations, possibly leading to reduced American military presence abroad and shifted geopolitical power dynamics affecting global stability.
AI Summary
President Trump said he is strongly considering withdrawing the United States from NATO, intensifying his attacks on European allies and deepening divisions within the transatlantic alliance. The rift centers partly on disagreement over America's military involvement alongside Israel against Iran, an issue on which European nations have taken a different stance. A U.S. exit from NATO would represent a fundamental break from the post-World War II security architecture that has underpinned European defense and American global influence for decades. European capitals have already expressed alarm over Trump's NATO skepticism during his first term, and this statement raises the prospect of a formal rupture. The threat puts pressure on NATO members to respond and potentially restructure their defense commitments independently.
What's Being Done
European capitals are expressing alarm and NATO members are reportedly considering how to restructure defense commitments independently.
Source Coverage Map
10 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Trans-Atlantic rift widens as Trump lashes out at NATO allies over Mideast war - AP News
PoliticsTrump says he is strongly considering pulling US out of NATO in interview with UK's Telegraph
National SecurityPentagon declines to reaffirm NATO's collective defense, says up to Trump - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixwFBVV95cUxOZ0FDTWR1ZG04UEtZRWV0a1V2ZzBTcThPN2xKdFVQNi15NFduMzhsLWpVdUp2cDlGcmJKU0VuWWlXVWNTRDRhWHpIc1RMeVR0VWxmbUNIdGdXLTNzYzFNZGRCVDhjdWtzTzBJbFBKWTN6YWlmNW1KUUUxX1d1cEI2TTNFVng5WHRCMUR3OUoyQ1lTdE41dC1CWTFyVXYyM0I1eTByaWdXUzJxZEpmZ3NQZnlWWlNxZURYUlZrMkVxbTJmZjFlbFVz?oc=5" target="_blank">Pentagon declines to reaffirm NATO's collective defense, says up to Trump</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
GlobalFirst Thing: Trump launches tirade against Europe for not joining Iran war
<p>Some European countries have blocked Israeli and US planes from moving weapons through their airspace. Plus, a rocket heads to the moon on Wednesday for the first time since 1972</p><p>Good morning.</p><p>Donald Trump has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/31/trump-launches-tirade-against-european-countries-not-joining-iran-war">launched a tirade against European countries</a> that refused to join the Israel-US war against Iran, calling out the UK and France, as transatlantic relations continue their downward spiral and the war wreaks havoc on the global economy.</p><p><strong>What pushback has there been from Europe?</strong> France has blocked Israeli planes from flying weapons through its airspace, while Italy refused last-minute permission for US bombers to land in Sicily. Spain has already <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/30/spain-closes-airspace-to-us-military-over-iran-war-widening-rift-with-us">denied the US use of its bases and airspac...
PoliticsTrump Defends His Use of Mail-In Voting: ‘Because I’m President’
President Trump wants to restrict voting by mail, which he says amounts to “cheating.” But he defended his own use of the practice in a special election this week.
PoliticsUS Treasury plans to put Trump's signature on new paper currency in first for sitting president - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxNelBtWDA5blFpbWYyLU9pSnIzOTBaTVVlOFYybTQyNTR1c3ktZ0dHMk1mUHM3VGV6Rks2VnlhOE9tLU1uT19Na0JxRHZWcmRscGFjcXJnaEE0S0k1M3RTQlpfOXFyUzBiM19wTEI0R3NwZTJVZDdMM1VZTkQtUmdEN1NSb3JGRTV2NXdjY0dvNVl2YmZHWURJN2pwdXgwQV94?oc=5" target="_blank">Treasury plans to put Trump's signature on US bills in first for sitting president, AP source says</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Trump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the Mideast - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxNbEVCYW5qYUdxR3NzckpSeXBTd0lNV3cyMzdnSWJuOGYwOE9nSDh4ck9uMUh3N0duTUtndjlYNTNjQWJaU2Z6anc4MVNUS2x4aXpHdF9QZnZiZVNxTER1WktTQTdkWkxtOWJLc0E3Q2s4T3BkV0ZtVWY5bnFJdjV3NkxIbGRfRjlNSWY3QjdzNDcxRzl2RmYyWVk3OFRKUUVONVdV?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the Mideast</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
'The gravest crime against humanity': What does the UN vote on slavery mean?
At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence 'against those who deserve no mercy'
After 16 years and $8 billion, the military's new GPS software still doesn't work
US paves way for private assets to be included in 401(k) retirement plans - Reuters
Army extends maximum recruitment age to 42, allowing older recruits to join
