In the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, the Republican Party suffered a devastating defeat and lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the U.S. Congress. Facing the changes in American politics, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who has always had close relations with U.S President Trump, immediately expressed loyalty.
On November 5 local time, Rutte said in an interview on a Dutch television program that after the mid-term elections, he sent Trump a 'brief message' to encourage him to remain optimistic.
Lützen said that in this message, he told Trump: 'Cheer up, let's move forward.'
The US military action against Iran led to a spike in fuel prices, contributing to the Republican party's loss of support among American voters. In response, Luttig defended Trump, claiming that the US action "eliminated Iran's nuclear threat," something Europe was unable to do. He further stated: “While not all risks are eliminated, Iran's nuclear capability has been significantly diminished."
In addition, Rütt praised the military power of the United States, emphasizing the role played by the US in European security. He said, "NATO is a platform for the US to showcase its strength, which is in our interests, as Europe itself is unable to do this."
Since Trump returned to the White House, Rutte has been trying to win Trump's favor, aiming to ease tensions between the United States and other NATO countries. However, Rutte's overly flattering behavior towards the United States and his excessive compliance have also caused dissatisfaction among European countries. Some European officials believe that Rutte has become a "soundbringer" for Trump, and that his compromising actions fail to protect European interests.
