Jesse Watters mocks Europe’s resistance to Trump’s Greenland push: ‘Give daddy what he wants’

Jesse Watters referenced a remark made last year by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who jokingly referred to Trump as 'daddy'
PUBLISHED JAN 15, 2026
Jesse Watters took aim at Europe for pushing back on Donald Trump's Greenland demand on 'The Five' (Fox News/YouTube)
Jesse Watters took aim at Europe for pushing back on Donald Trump's Greenland demand on 'The Five' (Fox News/YouTube)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Fox News host Jesse Watters ridiculed European leaders for rejecting President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, sarcastically questioning why US allies would not simply comply with what he framed as Trump’s wishes.

During a segment this week, Watters referenced a remark made last year by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who jokingly referred to Trump as “daddy,” using it as a springboard to criticize Europe’s refusal to consider transferring the Danish territory.

“NATO called Trump ‘daddy,’” Watters said on air. “Why won’t they give daddy what he wants?”



Jessica Tarlov counters Jesse Watters

The comment immediately drew pushback from co-host Jessica Tarlov, who argued that European leaders were right to reject the idea.

“Because sometimes daddy needs to be told no,” Tarlov said. “That’s just the facts on the table.”

Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters clashed on Donald Trump's Greenland stance (Fox News/YouTube)
Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters clashed on Donald Trump's Greenland stance (Fox News/YouTube)

Watters pressed her on who exactly should be doing the refusing.

Tarlov responded by pointing to Danish officials and Greenland’s leadership, saying they had taken a firm stance against any attempt to seize the territory.

“They’re saying NATO will disband if this happens,” she said, adding that such a move would amount to an attack on a NATO country.

Watters reacted sharply, interrupting to ask, “Whose side are you on?”

“I’m on the side of America and also Greenland,” Tarlov replied, accusing Trump supporters of showing disregard for the sovereignty of an allied nation.

She argued that Denmark and Greenland had been open to diplomatic discussions on cooperation without surrendering territory.

Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland is key for US security.



Jesse Watters mocks Europe's response

As Tarlov described a growing European response to the Greenland issue, including coordination among multiple countries, Watters openly laughed at the idea.

“You have a pan-European fleet coming to back up Greenland,” Tarlov said, referencing Germany and France.

“A European fleet!” Watters interrupted, laughing. “That’s the funniest thing you’ve said all day! What do they have, one aircraft carrier?”

Tarlov countered that dismantling NATO would benefit America’s adversaries, not its allies.

“No one would be happier if NATO was disbanded than Vladimir Putin,” she said.

'The Five' co-hosts discussed the Trump administration's efforts to bolster US national security by obtaining Greenland (Fox News/YouTube)
'The Five' co-hosts discussed the Trump administration's efforts to bolster US national security by obtaining Greenland (Fox News/YouTube)

Growing transatlantic tensions

The Trump administration has repeatedly suggested that Greenland could be taken by force if negotiations fail, deepening diplomatic strains between Washington and European capitals.

In response, several European countries, including Germany, France, Sweden, and Norwa,y announced that they would deploy troops to Greenland, signaling a coordinated show of support for the territory and its current governance.



The standoff has raised concerns about the future of US-European relations, particularly within NATO as Trump allies continue to frame territorial acquisition as both strategic and inevitable.

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