President Donald Trump‘s close confidant and billionaire backer Elon Musk has supported a call for the U.S. to withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations (UN).
In a post on Saturday night, Musk endorsed a suggestion from user @GuntherEagleman, who wrote: “It’s time to leave NATO and the UN.”
Newsweek has contacted the U.N. and NATO for comment outside of normal office hours.
Why It Matters
Musk’s influential relationship with Trump is well-documented, and his endorsement adds weight to growing skepticism within the administration toward international alliances. The U.S. has been critical of NATO, with Trump frequently questioning its value and pushing allies to increase defense spending.
Musk, leading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is focused on cutting federal spending and has already dismantled multiple federal agencies.
Andrew Harnik/Getty
What To Know
Although Trump has not directly stated plans to exit NATO, he has consistently urged European nations to increase their defense spending, warning that the United States should not shoulder the alliance’s financial burden alone.
Days after his inauguration, Trump said he was not sure the U.S. should be spending anything on NATO, telling reporters the U.S. was protecting NATO members, but they were “not protecting us.”
Trump reiterated his call for trans-Atlantic alliance members to allocate 5 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defense—more than double the current 2 percent target and a level that no NATO country, including the U.S, currently meets.
In 2024, Trump said that he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to any NATO member that fails to meet defense spending guidelines—a striking admission that he would disregard the alliance’s core collective defense commitment.
NATO, a transnational military alliance, comprises 32 member states—30 from Europe and 2 from North America.
Musk’s endorsement comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following a tense Friday Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky left Washington early without finalizing a mineral deal after a public clash with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Reports indicate that Trump later directed his officials to dismiss the Ukrainian delegation from the White House, despite their objections.
On March 1, NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte urged Zelensky to repair ties with Trump after a heated White House exchange the previous day.
Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain and France had agreed to work with Ukraine on a ceasefire plan to present to the U.S, following the public spat.
What People Are Saying
Republican Senator Mike Lee said in a post on X: “Good time to exit NATO.”
Christian Takushi, a researcher of Macroeconomic & geopolitical trends, said in a social media post: “The change of mind by Ukraine’s most important ally in the US Senate (Mr. Graham) should not be underestimated in Europe. Now other key leaders are following suit and demanding the US withdraw immediately from NATO.”
What Happens Next
These comments fueled debate over the alliance’s future, highlighting a major shift in U.S. foreign policy.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s administration agree with Musk’s endorsement or whether Musk’s influence could play a role in shaping future U.S. foreign policy.