NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte just shattered the media narrative that Trump is a “threat” to NATO, declaring in a New York Times interview that President Trump’s tough leadership is the reason European nations are finally boosting defense spending after decades of freeloading off American taxpayers.

Rutte stated plainly, “President Trump deserves all the praise, because without his leadership, without him being re-elected president of the United States, the \[spending boost] would never, ever, ever have been [achieved].”

Under Trump’s leadership, NATO members agreed to increase defense and infrastructure spending to hit 5% of GDP, marking the first time in 65 years that European contributions are set to match America’s investment in the alliance. Rutte noted, “The biggest ally is the United States. That biggest ally has paid, since Eisenhower, more than the Europeans. And now, for the first time in 65 years, we will equalize between what the U.S. is paying and what the Europeans are paying. And without Trump, that would not have happened.”

For years, Democrats and their media allies painted Trump as a NATO wrecking ball, ignoring the reality that his pressure campaign exposed the weakness of an alliance dependent on American funding while Europe failed to meet its obligations. Trump’s refusal to let European leaders hide behind empty promises forced them to take real action, strengthening NATO at a critical time as threats from Russia and China grow.

Rutte pushed back on journalists’ attempts to spin his praise of Trump as “fawning” or “groveling,” making it clear that giving credit where it’s due is not weakness but honesty. “I think when somebody deserves praise, that praise should be given,” he said.

The NATO boss also addressed the ongoing threat from Russia, calling its ability to mobilize society for weapons production “amazing” despite its smaller economy, while mocking Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov as a stale relic who has been in power “since the birth of Jesus Christ.”

Rutte’s praise is a blunt reminder that Trump’s America First leadership style is not about isolating America but ensuring America is respected and that allies carry their weight. Trump proved that peace through strength is not just a slogan, but a strategy that delivers results, forcing allies to match their rhetoric with action.

Conservatives should take note: while the media obsesses over fake scandals and Democrats undermine American strength abroad, Trump’s approach has made the West stronger against adversaries like Russia and has saved American taxpayers billions by demanding fairness from Europe.

NATO is stronger today because Trump refused to accept business as usual. The left can whine all they want, but even NATO’s top leader is admitting the truth: Trump delivered, and the world is safer because of it.