Trump claims success at NATO summit as doubts grow over Iran strike’s real impact
In a surreal and at times sycophantic display at the NATO summit in The Hague, President Donald Trump claimed triumph on two explosive fronts: the recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and the alliance’s decision to hike defence spending to a staggering 5% of GDP.
“This is a very historic milestone,” Trump declared, as NATO leaders reportedly applauded the shift. “They said: ‘You did it, sir, you did it.’ Well, I don’t know if I did it… But I think I did.”
The former president, now back in office, took centre stage as the summit’s unlikely showman—celebrated not only for his diplomatic posturing but for leading military strikes that some fear may have achieved little.
Trump called the bombing campaign a “victory for everybody”, yet doubts have emerged within his own cabinet. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Trump himself admitted uncertainty over how much damage the strikes had truly caused to Iran’s nuclear programme.
A leaked Pentagon assessment suggested the air raids may have only set Tehran’s operations back by a few months, far short of the blow Trump claimed. The conflicting narrative only deepened when reports emerged that Voice of America (VOA) was used to broadcast Trump’s message to Iranians in Farsi during the strikes, raising concerns over journalistic independence being compromised for presidential messaging.
Still, the bombast continued. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, uncharacteristically deferential, brushed off Trump’s crude language about Iran and Israel from earlier in the week. “Daddy sometimes has to use strong language,” he remarked, drawing gasps online and fuelling accusations of blind loyalty.
Beyond Iran, the summit’s focus shifted to NATO’s financial future. Under Trump’s pressure, member states agreed to boost military spending to 5% of GDP, a dramatic increase from the existing 2% commitment. Trump framed this as a win for “Western civilisation,” suggesting those who resist such measures are endangering global peace.
Back home, controversy continues to swell around the Trump administration’s handling of immigration. Attorney General Pam Bondi denied knowing that ICE agents were wearing masks during recent raids, despite video evidence and widespread public outcry.
Meanwhile, Costa Rica’s Supreme Court ordered the release of nearly 200 migrants deported from the U.S. and held in shelters there, many of whom were children from countries like Iran, Afghanistan, and Russia. Human rights groups have condemned the arrangement as legally murky and ethically alarming.
Elsewhere, Trump’s legal battles linger. A settlement worth $20 million may soon be reached between Trump and CBS, stemming from a controversial interview with Kamala Harris that reportedly derailed media merger talks.
The pressure cooker atmosphere continues to build in Washington. A CDC vaccine panel—now overseen by vaccine sceptic and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—held its first meeting this week, only to reveal the deep policy chaos gripping the administration’s public health strategy.
As Trump rides high on the NATO spotlight, critics warn the glory may be short-lived. Behind the bravado lies a tangle of escalating tensions, unverified claims, and opaque decisions that could reshape global alliances and destabilise already fragile regions.
