Trump says US should rethink NATO membership and rebukes allies for not helping in Iran

President Donald Trump expressed that the United States might need to reconsider its NATO membership. He criticized US allies for not providing assistance in the conflict in Iran. Trump mentioned that NATO membership is “certainly something that we should think about” as he pointed out that allies have ignored his calls for support. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he stated that the US is not required to help when Russia invaded Ukraine, suggesting a connection between that war and the situation in Iran. “We help them, and they didn’t help us, and I think that’s a very bad thing for NATO,” Trump remarked. He acknowledged that NATO partners agree with the US objective of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon but are hesitant to engage in the war. “Nobody wants to have Iran with nuclear weapons because these people are crazy. They’re absolutely crazy, and they’re vicious, violent,” Trump said. “Everyone agrees with this, but they don’t want to help.” He added that the US is aware of this situation. “We, as the United States, have to remember that because we think it’s pretty shocking,” he said. However, when asked if there would be any consequences for NATO, Trump responded, “Well, no, I just think that it’s not good for a partnership when they say, ‘what you’re doing is a great thing, but we’re not going to help.’”