‘I’m Defending Donald Trump’: World Leader Steps Up To Tell Everyone They Should Be Thankful For US President

As much of Europe pushes back against President Donald Trump’s bid to acquire Greenland, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is taking a markedly different stance, telling Europe that it should “be happy” Trump is in charge.

Speaking Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Rutte credited Trump with forcing major European powers — including France, Italy, and Spain — to finally step up their defense commitments. Without Trump’s pressure, Rutte said, these countries would never have agreed to spend 2% of their gross domestic product on defense.

“I’m not popular with you now because I’m defending Donald Trump, but I really believe you can be happy that he is there because he has forced us in Europe to step up, to face the consequences that we have to take care of more of our own defense,” Rutte said at a panel discussion titled “Can Europe defend itself?” at the World Economic Forum, according to Politico. (RELATED: Country With 17,000-Person Military Suggests It Can Fight America Over Greenland)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gestures as he speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice Coffrini / AFP via Getty Images)

Rutte’s remarks contrast sharply with the criticism Trump has faced from other European leaders over Greenland.