OAN Staff Addie Davis
5:40 PM – Wednesday, April 1, 2026
President Donald Trump is reportedly evaluating the future of U.S. involvement in NATO and is expected to express his “disgust” with the global alliance during his national address on Wednesday night.
In a recent interview with The Telegraph, the president emphasized the gravity of his stance, characterizing the decision to potentially exit the treaty as “beyond reconsideration.”
“I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way,” Trump said.
Trump confirmed to Reuters that he is “absolutely” considering a withdrawal from NATO, stating he intends to use his Wednesday night address to voice his “disgust” over the alliance’s refusal to support U.S. military operations in Iran.
The president has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for refusing to assist with the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against the Islamic Regime, labeling the alliance a useless “one-way street,” in reference to how the U.S. contributes billions of dollars for protection of foreign allies without receiving reciprocal support.
While Trump has expressed his displeasure with NATO allies, withdrawing from the alliance would reportedly require the “advice and consent of the Senate or an act of Congress,” according to a 2023 law.
In a Monday interview with Al Jazeera, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that while he has traditionally supported NATO for the strategic leverage and operational flexibility its basing rights provide, he finds the recent lack of cooperation from European and NATO allies during the current conflict deeply disappointing.
“But if NATO is just about us defending Europe if they’re attacked but then denying us basing rights when we need them, that’s not a very good arrangement,” he said.
“So all of that is going to have to be reexamined. All of it’s going to have to be reexamined,” he added.
These tensions have escalated following Spain’s refusal to grant airspace access to aircraft involved in the Iranian conflict. President Trump also confirmed in a Tuesday Truth Social post that France was restricting overflight rights for planes transporting military supplies to Israel.
In addition, the U.S. Commander-in-Chief has been particularly critical of the United Kingdom’s lack of support, directing much of his frustration at the number of “allies” who have declined to assist in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The current diplomatic friction stems from a fundamental disagreement over strategy between the U.S. and its traditional partners. While the United Kingdom (UK) is spearheading a 35-nation coalition aimed at a diplomatic and technical resolution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, the White House views this “third lane” approach as an insufficient substitute for direct military support.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has noted that this effort is distinct from the active kinetic conflict, a distinction that has drawn sharp criticism from Trump. The president has characterized the reliance on a post-war diplomatic track as evidence of the alliance’s decline.
“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for your: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” Trump said.
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” he added. “Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
Trump will deliver his address at 9 PM ET on Wednesday, providing an “important” update on the conflict in Iran, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
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