U.S. President Donald J. Trump has sparked fresh controversy after blasting NATO allies in a fiery social media post, calling them “COWARDS” for refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz during rising tensions with Iran.
In a strongly worded message shared on his Truth Social account, Trump didn’t hold back. He argued that without the United States, NATO would be nothing more than a “paper tiger,” accusing member nations of avoiding responsibility when it matters most. He claimed that while the U.S. had already handled the “dangerous part” of stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions, allies were now complaining about rising oil prices without stepping in to fix the root problem.
The frustration comes at a time when the Strait of Hormuz one of the world’s most critical oil routes has been disrupted, sending global energy prices climbing. Around 20% of the world’s oil supply typically passes through this narrow waterway, so even minor instability there hits hard worldwide.
Trump insisted reopening the strait would be a “simple military maneuver” with minimal risk, especially after recent U.S.-Israeli strikes that he claims have significantly weakened Iran. But many NATO countries are clearly not on the same page, choosing to stay out of what they see as a U.S.-led conflict.
This isn’t new territory for Trump. He’s long criticized NATO for relying too heavily on the U.S., and this situation has only amplified that stance. Now, with tensions high and oil markets shaken, his message is clear: if allies won’t step up, the U.S. will remember who stayed on the sidelines.