President Donald Trump kicked off Friday with a blistering attack on NATO allies, accusing them of freeloading off U.S. military power while refusing to help secure one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints.
“Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social, unloading on member nations that declined to assist in stabilizing the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S.-led campaign against Iran.
“They didn’t want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran,” Trump said.
Now, with that fight “Militarily WON,” Trump argued NATO countries are reaping the benefits while dodging the responsibility.
“Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote, calling the mission “a simple military maneuver.”
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically vital waterways on the planet, serving as a narrow passage for a significant share of the world’s oil supply. Any disruption there sends immediate shockwaves through global energy markets, driving up prices and rattling economies.
Trump framed the issue in blunt terms: Europe and other NATO partners want relief at the pump but won’t step up when it comes to securing the route that makes that relief possible.
“So easy for them to do, with so little risk,” Trump added. “COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”
Trump has long argued that NATO allies rely too heavily on U.S. military might while underinvesting in their own defense and hesitating when called to act.
More over at The New York Post:
Trump calls NATO members 'cowards' over refusal to 'help open' Strait of Hormuz https://t.co/zm56MxtrzK pic.twitter.com/KfxCTtAtVQ
— New York Post (@nypost) March 20, 2026