President Donald Trump has cast doubt on the commitment of NATO allies to come to the aid of the United States in the event of an attack, reiterating his long-held position that military support should be contingent on adequate defense spending by those nations. "Do you think they're going to come and protect us? They're supposed to. I'm not so sure," he remarked during a recent press session in the Oval Office, as reported by The Hill.

Trump further stated, "If you're not going to pay, we're not going to defend," highlighting a perception he has maintained that U.S. allies are not contributing sufficiently to their own defense budgets, particularly in line with NATO's guideline that suggests member countries should spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. His comments reflect ongoing concerns not only about NATO's collective defense mechanism under Article 5, which obligates members to protect one another in times of crisis, but also raise questions regarding the future viability of NATO itself. As noted, Article 5 has only been invoked once in NATO's 76-year history—immediately following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

In his remarks, Trump expressed skepticism about whether NATO allies, particularly countries like France, would reciprocate if the United States were under threat. This skepticism mirrors similar sentiments he expressed on the campaign trail, where he argued that nations not meeting defense spending guidelines should not expect U.S. protection. Last year, he even suggested NATO allies should aim for 5% of their GDP dedicated to defense, a proposal that was met with resistance by many European leaders.

Moreover, Trump's comments have stirred concerns among NATO allies, with some leaders, like Germany's Friedrich Merz, expressing worry that this stance undermines the very foundation of NATO's mutual defense. NATO's commitment has traditionally served as a deterrent against aggression, particularly amid rising tensions with Russia, notably following its invasion of Ukraine three years prior.

While some NATO countries are reported to be increasing their defense budgets, with an estimated 23 of 32 members expected to meet the 2% threshold by next year, Trump's rhetoric has contributed to an unstable atmosphere concerning U.S.-European military relations. His administration's approach has prompted reactions from allies, highlighting the delicate balance of expectations and commitments within the alliance.

For further details, refer to sources from ABC News, HuffPost, Forbes, and CBS News.