Daddy Diplomacy: Mark Rutte’s NATO Grovel or Genius Move?

When global politics starts sounding like fan fiction, it's fair to ask: is this strategy or just straight-up submission?

Mark Rutte, freshly appointed NATO Secretary General, walks a diplomatic tightrope amid rising global tensions. (Gerard Stolk)

The Message That Made Me Cringe
On June 24, 2025—just ahead of the NATO summit—Secretary General Mark Rutte sent Donald Trump a WhatsApp message so sycophantic, it could’ve been mistaken for scripture. Then came the summit itself, where Rutte doubled down and referred to Trump as “Daddy.”

Yes, “Daddy.” In public. At a global security summit.

Trump’s Ego Is the Real Power Center
We all know how Trump operates. Feed his ego, stroke his reputation, and he’ll believe you’re on his side—until you’re not. The man thrives on praise and outrage in equal measure. So maybe Rutte’s move wasn’t a gaffe—it was strategy.

But still... Daddy?

Suck-Up Politics: The Rutte Doctrine
Let’s not pretend Rutte is a naïve player. He’s a career politician who rose up through the stiff institutions of Dutch politics, and he knows how this game is played: keep your head down, play nice, secure the next gig.

But NATO isn’t some trade ministry. It's supposed to be the West’s defense backbone, and Rutte’s turning it into a grovel-fest. Is he humiliating himself just to buy four more years of geopolitical stability under Trump? Possibly. Or maybe he actually believes this nonsense.

Either way, it’s not a good look.

The Numbers Don’t Lie—But They Don’t Add Up Either
Trump wants NATO allies to commit to 5% of GDP on defense. It sounds strong, tough, and militarily bold—until you realize it’s economically unsustainable. Rutte and others surely know this. Europe doesn’t have the fiscal runway to make those numbers stick long-term.

So are they just placating Trump until his term is over?