Flattery will get you everywhere: The world leaders who have decided sucking up to Trump is the best way to handle him
Donald Trump was in Europe for all of 24 hours this week, flying into The Hague to show his face at the NATO summit before hopping back aboard Air Force One and returning to Washington.
But this very short window provided plenty of insight into how America's Western allies are approaching their interactions with the US President.
The two-day event would typically see members of the transatlantic security bloc discuss a host of issues, particularly at a time when Russia 's war continues to rage in Ukraine, the Middle East is mired in turmoil and China is growing ever stronger.
Instead, it was effectively watered down to a single-issue press conference in which NATO's European cohort promised to spend more on defence and thanked the US for the pleasure of doing so.
If it wasn't clear enough the first time round, leaders have recognised in Trump's second term that stroking the former reality TV star and real estate mogul's ego likely constitutes the path of least resistance in their dealings with him.
To be clear, a policy of knee-bending and fawnery is hardly a useful approach to conducting international diplomacy and advancing the interests of one's country.
Indeed, Trump has gone on record expressing admiration for the likes of Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un – authoritarians and dictators whose strength has earned them respect from the Orange Don.
But it seems that sucking up to the leader of the free world – at least in public – is the most efficient way to avoid his ire… or to simply get him out the door.
With that in mind, here are just a few glaring examples of world leaders going out of their way to pump up the Trump.
Rutte
As Trump prepared to fly to the Netherlands for the NATO summit, the alliance's Secretary-General Mark Rutte sent him a flurry of fawning text messages.
'Mr President, dear Donald, Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary, and something no one else dared to do. It makes us all safer,' the gushing texts read.
'You are flying into another big success in The Hague this evening. It was not easy but we've got them all signed onto 5 percent!
'Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe, and the world. You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done.
'Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win. Safe travels and see you at His Majesty's dinner!' Rutte signed off.
We know the contents of the private messages because Trump gleefully plastered them on social media, forcing Rutte to bat down speculation that he was pandering to the President with texts that made him, and Europe, look weak.
The NATO chief later suffered another gaffe during a press conference with Trump in The Hague.
The US President, ranting about America's involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, characterised the two foes as children having a squabble in the playground.
'They're not gonna be fighting each other. They've had it. Like two kids in a schoolyard - you know they fight like hell, and you can't stop them. Let them fight for about two three minutes and then it's easier to stop them,' Trump said.
Rutte then quipped that 'sometimes Daddy has to use strong language', in a pointed reference to Trump's use of a forceful expletive in an interview when chastising the arch foes for breaking a ceasefire deal.
A delighted Trump later told reporters Rutte had made the comment 'because he likes me'.
'He likes me, I think he likes me! If he doesn't, I'll let you know and I'll come back and I'll hit him hard OK?'
'He did it very affectionately though... 'Daddy, you're my daddy',' the president said playfully.
The impression even managed to tease a laugh out of the normally stoic Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who could not contain a giggle as he stood behind Trump on the stage.
The White House's press office also seized upon the opportunity to release what can only be described as a hype video, showing Trump's return to Washington set to the tune of Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home) by pop star Usher.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) giggles behind President Donald Trump (left) as he answered questions about being called 'daddy' by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte during the Wednesday conference in the Hague, Netherlands
Netanyahu
Since Trump began his second term in the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unofficially headed the Donald Trump fan club.
It wasn't always so – Netanyahu has previously infuriated Trump on several occasions, most notably in 2020 when he declared on camera that Joe Biden had won the US presidential race, despite Trump's claims the Democrats stole the election.
But as Donald prepared to return to the Oval Office, Bibi was likely reciting lines praising Trump for his excellent decision-making acumen and cherished friendship.
He understands Trump's maxims of 'MAGA' and 'America First' like no other, and has expressed such admiration for them that he manages to paint Israel like a plucky partner of the US, rather than a dependent.
Now, Netanyahu counts the US President among his closest allies, and is no doubt cognisant that without his backing, his war on Iran and the ongoing military action in Gaza would face much greater resistance.
Following the US intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict last week that saw American B-2 stealth aircraft drop the world's largest non-nuclear weapons on Iranian nuclear sites, Netanyahu delivered an address which doubled as a love letter to Trump and America.
'President Trump, your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history... America has been truly unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on earth could do.'
'History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime, the world's most dangerous weapons,' he continued.
'His leadership today has created a pivot of history that can help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace.
'President Trump and I often say peace through strength. First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength.'
'President Trump, I thank you. The people of Israel thank you. The forces of civilisation thank you.
'God bless America. God bless Israel and may God bless our unshakeable alliance, our unbreakable faith.'
Starmer
Sir Keir had only been in power himself for four months when Trump stormed to victory in the November 2024 US presidential election and from the outset was keen to display his admiration.
In fairness, he had to do some damage control.
Labour deputy Angela Rayner had openly called Trump an 'absolute buffoon' who had 'no place in the White House' while Foreign Secretary David Lammy once referred to him as 'a racist KKK and Nazi sympathiser'.
Since Trump's inauguration, the Prime Minister has worked to strike a careful balance, positioning the UK as a valued Atlantic intermediary, connecting North America with the EU.
He has played on the so-called 'special relationship' between the UK and US, and has seemingly got along well with Trump so far.
But Sir Keir has also had his fair share of moments that highlighted his eagerness to please the American leader.
On his first visit to the White House to see Trump in February, Starmer was all too happy to present the US President with a letter from King Charles in the middle of a press conference.
'Am I supposed to read it now?' Trump asked flippantly. Sir Keir insisted that Trump read the letter aloud, before grasping the President's shoulder and flashing a giddy grin as he unfurled the envelope and scanned its contents.
Then, earlier this month, the Prime Minister was sent scrambling at Trump's feet when the 79-year-old dropped the contents of a US-UK trade deal the pair had just inked at the G7 summit all over the floor.
As Trump opened a black binder with the signed agreement inside, several papers spilled out.
'Oops, sorry about that,' Trump quipped, looking down to see the Prime Minister plucking the papers from between his legs.
Moments later, Trump went on to announce he had struck the deal with the European Union, rather than the UK.
Sir Keir had neither the appetite nor the heart to correct him.
Macron
The state of relations between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron serves as a cautionary tale to other leaders who may be tired of sucking up to the US President and want to air their grievances in public.
In their first term, the pair often appeared firm friends.
Macron boasted of himself as a 'Trump whisperer' and recently said he had 'the best relations in the world' with the US President prior to 2020.
Their 29-second handshake-cum-handholding session during Trump's visit to Paris for Bastille Day in 2017 is the stuff of legend, and both leaders garnered a reputation for being notably tactile with one another.
Early in Trump's second term, the bromance appeared alive and well.
Macron performed admirably during his visit to the White House in February, laughing at Trump's wisecracks while managing to politely and charmingly correct his American counterpart's mistakes.
But relations have rapidly soured since then – a decline seemingly sparked by the outspoken Macron's willingness to challenge Trump in public and criticise his policies on the world stage.
After Trump abruptly departed this month's G7 summit early, Macron tried to spin the exit as strategic, telling reporters the US might play a key role in brokering peace between Israel and Iran.
But Trump, already aboard Air Force One, launched a furious riposte online.
'Wrong! He is 'publicity seeking' and always gets it wrong,' the President fumed on Truth Social. 'He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington… Much bigger than that. Stay tuned!'
Tensions only mounted further when Macron offered a rebuke of Trump's hawkish stance on Iran.
As Trump called for Tehran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,' Macron warned that pushing for regime change would only sow 'chaos' across the Middle East.
'We do not want to see Iran acquire nuclear weapons or ballistic capabilities,' Macron said. 'But the greatest mistake today would be to pursue regime change in Iran through military means – that would lead to chaos.'
'Does anyone think what was done in Iraq in 2003 was a good idea? Or in Libya last decade? No.'
When asked later about the spat, Trump couldn't resist a jab.
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