Trump backs NSS, says 'NATO calls me Daddy,' praises Orbán/Erdoğan, hints more tariffs
President Trump endorsed the newly released 33-page National Security Strategy (Dec. 5, 2025), which elevates mass migration as the primary U.S. threat, pledges a “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine to reassert U.S. dominance in the Americas, sharply criticizes European allies as facing “civilizational erasure,” and softens some language on China while seeking to reestablish strategic stability with Russia. In interviews he boasted that “NATO calls me ‘Daddy,’” praised leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (saying European leaders sometimes ask him to contact Erdoğan and noting an Orbán request about a U.S.-backed financial shield), and signaled he may increase tariffs further on some imports.
📌 Key Facts
- The White House on Dec. 5, 2025, released a 33-page National Security Strategy (NSS) described by the administration as a roadmap for national strength.
- The NSS elevates mass migration as the top U.S. national security threat—declaring "the era of mass migration must end," calling border security the primary element of national security, and proposing restored neighborhood investigations tied to naturalization vetting.
- The strategy sharply criticizes European allies, warning of "civilizational erasure" and saying Europe could be "unrecognizable in 20 years or less," that some NATO members could become "majority non‑European," and that Europe shows weakened confidence and unstable governments; the White House says it will "help Europe correct its current trajectory."
- It pledges a renewed focus on the Western Hemisphere — a self-described "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine — aiming to reassert U.S. preeminence by enlisting and expanding regional partners to curb migration and drug trafficking, discouraging regional ties with rival powers, and reconsidering U.S. military posture (including greater Coast Guard and Navy presence) in the hemisphere.
- On great‑power strategy, the NSS calls to rebalance U.S.–China trade toward reciprocity and non‑sensitive factors (while, according to the WSJ, softening ideological language on China) and signals an intent to reestablish strategic stability with Russia after an end to the Ukraine war.
- The Kremlin, via spokesman Dmitry Peskov, welcomed the NSS as aligning with Moscow’s vision and said Russia hopes it leads to "constructive cooperation" on a Ukrainian settlement.
- President Trump, in a separate interview, said "NATO calls me 'Daddy,'" praised Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (calling Erdoğan a "tough cookie"), claimed European leaders ask him to call Erdoğan, said Orbán sought access to a U.S.-backed $20 billion financial shield (which Trump said he did not promise), mocked Sweden as "very unsafe," and personally attacked London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
- Trump also vowed to "increase tariffs" on some goods, signaling trade measures as a continuing tool of his national security/economic policy; the NSS broadly emphasizes economic independence as part of U.S. strategy.
- The rollout drew pushback at home and abroad: Democrats and some experts called the strategy a retreat from alliances (Rep. Jason Crow called it "catastrophic"), while White House officials defended the Europe warnings and administration-aligned commentators framed the approach as restoring U.S. strength.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2021, 36.8% of London's population identified as White British, 20.1% as Asian, 13.5% as Black, 5% as mixed, and 6.3% as other ethnic groups, with the foreign-born population at 41%.
What's Happening to London's Population? — London Forum
In the Paris region, in 2020-2021, 49% of the population are either immigrants (21%) or have at least one immigrant parent (28%), compared to 10% immigrants nationwide in France in 2020.
Demographics of Paris — Wikipedia
Sweden's intentional homicide rate is 0.86 per 100,000 people, compared to 4.7 per 100,000 in the United States.
Sweden vs United States Crime > Violent crime Stats Compared — NationMaster
In Sweden, the proportion of those suspected of offences among persons born outside Sweden was 2.5 times that of persons born in Sweden to two Swedish-born parents; foreign-born individuals constitute about 20% of the population but when adjusted for age, sex, and socioeconomic factors such as education and income, the over-risk decreases to 40%.
Facts about migration, integration and crime in Sweden — Government of Sweden
The EU's foreign-born population grew from 41 million in 2010 (10%) to over 63 million in 2024 (14.1%), with significant increases due to non-EU immigration.
Hungary's strict immigration policies have resulted in very low asylum approvals, with only 60% positive decisions out of 25 applications in 2024, contributing to ongoing population decline without significant immigration inflows.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (6)
"The piece reads the Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy as a defining statement about where the conservative movement is headed—toward nationalism and sovereignty‑first priorities—acknowledging its political potency while warning of diplomatic, strategic and rhetorical risks."
"An alarmist perspective on the White House National Security Strategy’s depiction of mass migration and demographic change as existential threats to Europe, arguing the NSS reframes migration as a core security issue with major implications for NATO cohesion and U.S. foreign policy and urging stronger border and burden‑sharing measures while noting the rhetoric’s potential to inflame domestic politics."
"An affirmative commentary endorsing the White House National Security Strategy’s warning that mass migration could make Europe 'unrecognizable' within 20 years, arguing this is a legitimate security and demographic concern that warrants stricter migration controls and policy attention."
"The opinion argues that Europe’s current institutions are ill‑equipped to handle mass migration, demographic decline and security threats and therefore calls for a fundamentally reformed or new European union that centralizes tougher border, demographic and defense policies."
"The WSJ opinion argues the 2025 National Security Strategy is a manifesto‑style 'Trump Corollary' that marks a deliberate, ideologically driven reorientation of U.S. foreign policy—especially toward migration and the Western Hemisphere—produced with the chaotic energy of the current administration rather than as a routine bureaucratic document."
"POLITICO’s interview is a critical read of Trump’s blunt foreign‑policy and economic messaging — portraying him as ready to rupture with European allies, politicize Fed choices, press Ukraine toward concessions, and escalate pressure on Venezuela, while presenting an upbeat economic claim that conflicts with public sentiment."
📰 Sources (12)
- Trump said in an interview that "NATO calls me 'Daddy'" and criticized Europe as "decaying" due to immigration.
- He praised Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, calling Erdoğan a "tough cookie" and a friend.
- Trump claimed European leaders ask him to call Erdoğan when they cannot reach him.
- He said Orbán asked for access to a U.S.-backed $20 billion financial shield (which Trump said he did not promise).
- He questioned further NATO expansion and mocked Sweden as having become "very unsafe."
- He vowed to "increase tariffs" further on some goods.
- He personally attacked London Mayor Sadiq Khan, calling him "a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor."
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia sees the updated U.S. National Security Strategy as aligning with Moscow’s vision and favoring dialogue.
- Peskov said Russia hopes the strategy leads to 'constructive cooperation' with Washington on the 'Ukrainian settlement.'
- Hegseth tied his remarks to the newly released National Security Strategy and said Trump will seek to resume U.S. nuclear testing on 'an equal basis' with China and Russia.
- He cast Trump as Reagan’s 'true and rightful heir' on foreign policy and rejected climate change and democracy‑building as defense priorities.
- The strategy states Europe could be 'unrecognizable in 20 years or less' and warns of 'civilizational erasure' due to mass migration, low birthrates, censorship and loss of national identity.
- It cautions that some NATO members could become 'majority non-European,' raising an 'open question' about how they will view their alliance with the United States in the future.
- The document cites Europe’s economic share decline from 25% of global GDP in 1990 to 14% today as part of the continent’s broader challenges.
- White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the warning, saying Europe is already experiencing 'devastating impacts of unchecked migration' and assimilation failures.
- WSJ reports the NSS softens language on China, playing down ideological differences and marking a break from years of framing China as the U.S.’s paramount challenge.
- The document harshly criticizes traditional European allies while elevating the Americas as the overriding regional priority in the administration’s 'America First' approach.
- The strategy was released Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
- Article emphasizes that the NSS explicitly elevates mass migration as the top U.S. national security threat, downplaying Islamist terrorism relative to prior post-9/11 strategies.
- Direct quotes from the NSS stating the Middle East no longer dominates U.S. foreign policy ('no longer the constant irritant...') and that 'the era of mass migration must end.'
- Additional articulation of the 'Trump Corollary' aim to block foreign powers from gaining influence in the Americas and to shift military resources away from long-standing overseas theaters.
- New expert reactions: Alex Plitsas (Atlantic Council) criticizes the hemispheric emphasis; Emily Harding (CSIS) warns the Middle East can still pull the U.S. back in.
- The strategy pledges to 'assert and enforce a "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine' to reassert U.S. preeminence in the Western Hemisphere.
- Outlines two-pronged approach: 'enlist and expand'—enlisting established partners to curb migration/drug trafficking and expanding by cultivating new regional relationships to make the U.S. the partner of choice.
- Calls to reconsider U.S. military posture in the hemisphere, including a 'more suitable' Coast Guard and Navy presence to control sea lanes and combat illegal migration, human and drug trafficking.
- States intent to discourage collaboration by regional governments with rival powers while aligning them economically and on security with the U.S.
- Confirms the document is a 33-page blueprint detailing Western Hemisphere goals alongside broader national security aims.
- White House formally released the National Security Strategy on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 — the first NSS since Trump’s return to office.
- The document emphasizes reasserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and discouraging U.S. efforts to change Middle Eastern governments’ policies.
- It explicitly states 'America encourages its political allies in Europe' and cites the 'growing influence of patriotic European parties' as a positive sign.
- Rep. Jason Crow (D‑Colo.) publicly criticized the strategy, calling it 'catastrophic' and a retreat from alliances.
- The strategy warns Europe could be 'unrecognizable in 20 years or less' due to immigration and speech curbs and asserts some NATO members could become 'majority non-European' within decades.
- It claims some European governments are 'unstable minority governments' with 'unrealistic expectations' about the Ukraine war and alleges populations want an end to the war that governments are thwarting.
- The document states a U.S. priority of 'ending the perception, and preventing the reality, of NATO as a perpetually expanding alliance' while seeking to reestablish strategic stability with Russia and enable Europe to take primary responsibility for its defense.
- The NSS frames the EU and other transnational bodies as allowing 'unchecked immigration' and curbing free speech, and says Europe shows a 'lack of self-confidence' most evident in its relationship with Russia.
- Confirms the NSS is a 33-page regional blueprint and says Europe remains 'strategically and culturally vital' even as the U.S. aims to 'help Europe correct its current trajectory.'
- The strategy sharply criticizes European allies, warning of a 'prospect of civilizational erasure' tied to immigration, low birthrates, speech 'censorship,' and identity loss.
- It signals a U.S. intent to improve relations with Russia after ending the Ukraine war to 'reestablish strategic stability with Russia.'
- The document emphasizes reasserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
- It questions whether some European countries will remain strong enough to be reliable allies and states, 'We want Europe to remain European.'
- The blueprint is a 33-page document released Friday morning with a letter from President Trump framing it as a roadmap for national strength.
- It states the administration will restore neighborhood investigations tied to naturalization applicants as part of immigration vetting.
- The document asserts Chinese exports enter the U.S. via proxy countries and 'Chinese-built factories in a dozen countries, including Mexico.'
- Calls to rebalance U.S.–China trade to focus on reciprocity and 'non-sensitive factors' to restore American economic independence.
- Reiterates that 'border security is the primary element of national security' and declares 'the era of mass migration must end.'