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‘Make NATO Great Again’, Hegseth Tells European Allies
Charlie Kirk Staff
02/13/2025
Following a meeting with NATO defense ministers on Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on European allies to take greater responsibility for the alliance’s future.
Speaking at a press conference, Hegseth stated that President Donald Trump had given him a “clear mission: achieve peace through strength, as well as put America first, our people, our taxpayers, our borders, and our security.” He emphasized that this approach involves “reviving the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military, and reestablishing deterrence.”
Hegseth urged NATO allies to adopt similar priorities. “NATO is a great alliance, the most successful defense alliance in history, but to endure for the future, our partners must do far more for Europe’s defense,” he said. “We must make NATO great again.”
He stressed that increased defense spending is essential but also called for strengthening the transatlantic defense industry, advancing technology, and prioritizing military readiness.
Referencing former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Hegseth noted that while Eisenhower supported NATO, he was concerned that Europe was not contributing enough to its own defense, warning that it risked “making, in Eisenhower’s words, ‘a sucker out of Uncle Sam.'”
Hegseth concluded by reaffirming the Trump administration’s commitment to alliances but warned that the U.S. expects fair burden-sharing. “Make no mistake, President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker.”
