Trump says 'we don't have to be there for NATO' - Reuters

President Trump said the United States does not have to maintain its military presence in NATO, marking another challenge to the alliance's foundational assumption of American commitment to European defense. The statement reflects Trump's longstanding skepticism about NATO burden-sharing, an argument he has made repeatedly since his first term. Trump has previously pressured European allies to increase defense spending and has questioned whether the U.S. should bear disproportionate costs for the alliance. The comment could signal potential shifts in U.S. security posture toward Europe and may prompt NATO members to accelerate their own defense capabilities independent of American backing. Trump's NATO criticism has historically served as leverage in bilateral negotiations with individual allies over defense expenditures.