Marco Rubio loses it as Donald Trump reacts to being called 'daddy' by NATO leader: 'I'll hit him hard'

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS: A routine NATO press conference took an unexpectedly humorous turn when Secretary of State Marco Rubio cracked up at President Donald Trump’s reaction to a tongue-in-cheek comment made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

During a bilateral meeting in The Hague, Rutte playfully referred to Trump as “daddy” while discussing Trump’s role in managing escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, reports Fox News.

Donald Trump jokes about being NATO’s ‘daddy’ after Mark Rutte’s remark

While speaking alongside officials in The Hague, President Donald Trump reflected on the US' role in helping mediate a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. He compared the two nations to “kids in a schoolyard,” saying they “fight like hell” for a while but eventually reach a point where “it's easier to stop them.”

Rutte quipped in response, “Then daddy has to sometimes use strong language.”

The remark referenced Trump’s earlier profanity-laced comments outside the White House, in which he said the long-standing conflict had gone on so long that “they don’t know what the f**k they’re doing.”

The moment was brought up again during a press conference later that day, when a Sky News reporter asked Trump if he viewed America’s NATO partners as children.

“Do you regard your NATO allies as kind of children?” the reporter asked. 

Rubio, standing beside the president, couldn't hold back laughter as Trump delivered a sarcastic reply, “No, he likes me. I think he likes me. If he doesn't, I’ll let you know. I’ll come back and hit him hard. Okay?”

With a grin, Trump continued, “He did it. Very affectionate. ‘Daddy, you’re my daddy.’”

On Wednesday, NATO leaders came to a unanimous agreement to ramp up their defense spending, pledging that each member country will allocate 5% of its GDP every year toward defense and security by the year 2035.

Trump, visibly pleased with the agreement, said, “I think they're going to remember this day, and this is a big day for NATO. You know, this was a very big day. It's been sort of an amazing day for a lot of reasons, but also for that.”

When asked if NATO nations would be capable of maintaining regional security without US support in the future, Trump deflected, “You’ll have to ask Mark, concluding the press conference.

Donald Trump’s reaction to NATO leader calling him ‘daddy’ triggers hilarious Internet reactions

President Donald Trump's response to being called “daddy” by a NATO leader has sent social media into a frenzy, with users erupting in laughter especially over Senator Marco Rubio's visible reaction.

One user posted, “Rubio couldn't hold it back.”

Another added, “Rubio’s face is priceless!”

“Rubio cracking up is the best!” another commented.

“Love to see Marco crack a smile,” one wrote.

Meanwhile, Trump’s sense of humor didn’t go unnoticed with one user writing, “Love him or hate him, you have to admit one thing, @realDonaldTrump has a sense of humor.”

And one user summed up, “I did not have Trump saying ‘Daddy’ on my 2025 Bingo card.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.