In classic Trump fashion, a seemingly private conversation has become very public — and the fallout is global.
President Donald Trump has shared a personal message from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte that not only heaps praise on the POTUS, but also includes a bold and ominous statement about Europe’s financial future.
Trump Leaks NATO Chief’s Message on Truth Social
On June 24, while en route to a major NATO summit in The Hague, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to post a screenshot of a text message from Rutte.
The message begins in an unusually intimate tone: “Mr. President, dear Donald.”
From there, Rutte offers effusive praise, congratulating Trump on his “decisive action in Iran” — referring to the U.S. strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. “That was truly extraordinary,” Rutte wrote. “Something no one else dared to do. It makes us all safer.”
He then references Trump’s ongoing pressure campaign to get NATO members to boost their defense spending. “You are flying into another big success in The Hague this evening. It was not easy but we’ve got them all signed onto 5 percent!”
Check out the full screenshot below:
“Europe Is Going to Pay in a BIG Way”
The message’s most startling line comes shortly after: “Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win.” The phrase has sent shockwaves across social media, with users interpreting it as everything from a warning to a veiled threat.
One commenter asked bluntly: “What does ‘as they should’ even mean? Does Rutte no longer consider himself European?” Another wrote, “Just when you thought your jaw couldn’t drop any further…”
"Rutte is kissing Trump's a**, and Trump wanted everyone to see it by publishing their private conversation," another X user wrote in response to the text.
Rutte & NATO Confirms Message Is Real—but Declines to Elaborate
Despite disbelief over the message’s tone, NATO confirmed to Reuters that the message was, in fact, authentic. However, the alliance declined to provide any additional context or commentary.
Rutte himself has also responded to the message leak.
When asked by a reporter if it was "embarrassing" that Trump had shared the message, Rutte replied: "Absolutely not. What's in that message is a factual statement and I'm completely fine with him sharing it."
Some political analysts believe Rutte’s message may have been calculated flattery, especially in light of Trump’s recent comments casting doubt on America’s continued commitment to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause, AP reports.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Trump said his stance on the clause “depends on your definition,” adding that he was “committed to life and safety” but declined to offer further details until arriving in The Hague.
Given these comments, Rutte’s glowing message could be seen as a strategic attempt to maintain cohesion ahead of the summit — where all 32 NATO members are reportedly expected to agree on the controversial new defense target of 5% GDP spending.
Online reaction has been fierce and divided. While Trump supporters hailed the message as evidence of global respect, critics blasted the language as undiplomatic and disturbing.
“Mark Rutte knows how to play the Trump game,” one user noted, with another X user branding the text "an absolute MASTERPIECE of diplomacy & strategical manipulation".
Another was less charitable: “Reading Mark Rutte’s appalling a**-licking note to Trump is a reminder of the absolute failure in leadership we see all over Europe.”
Others targeted Trump, joking that Rutte had to "dumb down" his language in order to appeal to the POTUS. "@realDonaldTrump sharing this message as if it’s an accolade, when it’s clear how much Mark Rutte has had to dumb down his language when messaging the POTUS," one X user tweeted.
Others pointed out the uncanny similarity in tone between Rutte’s message and Trump’s own social media style. “This reads like Trump wrote it himself,” joked one poster.
This isn't the first time Trump has publicly aired private diplomatic correspondence. In the past, he’s posted similar messages from allies, including U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. In one note, Huckabee referred to himself as Trump’s “appointed servant in this land” and promised: “Our flag will NOT come down!”
As the NATO summit unfolds, all eyes will be on Trump and Rutte’s public interaction—especially after such a personal message was laid bare for the world to see.
The summit comes at a critical time for Europe, with the Middle East crisis escalating and defense commitments under renewed scrutiny.
Meanwhile, some conspiracy theorists are convinced "the real Donald Trump" hasn't turned up - instead, he has been replaced by a "body double".