Elon Musk supports US leaving NATO and UN, sparking fear

President Trump has so far avoided actively calling for the US to exit from NATO, but has repeatedly berated his fellow European allies to increase their defence spending

Elon Musk has publicly supported the idea of the United States withdrawing from both NATO and the United Nations, triggering concern among global leaders and European allies.

A simple post with major implications

Musk, who leads Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reposted a message on X calling for the US to leave NATO and the UN, simply adding, “I agree.” His statement quickly fueled speculation about the administration’s true intentions regarding America’s role in global alliances.

Trump’s long-standing skepticism of NATO

While Trump has not outright called for a NATO exit, he has repeatedly questioned its value, arguing that the US is shouldering an unfair burden. His administration recently demanded European allies raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, far beyond current commitments.

A shift toward American isolationism

UNITED STATES – JULY 20: Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah., speaks during the news conference in the Capitol on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, to announce legislation which would require the president to consult with congressional leaders and obtain congressional authorization before exercising certain national security powers. (Photo by Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Musk’s endorsement aligns with growing calls among Republican lawmakers to reevaluate NATO. Senator Mike Lee has labeled the alliance a “Cold War relic,” while Trump has hinted that underfunded member states could be left vulnerable to Russian aggression.

The UN in Musk’s crosshairs

Musk also supported the idea of the US leaving the UN, an organization he has clashed with before. In 2021, he challenged the UN’s claim that a $6 billion donation could end world hunger, demanding transparency before agreeing to fund it—money that never materialized.

Trump allies rally against global organizations

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 27: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (2nd-L) and U.S. President Donald Trump (C) meet in the Oval Office as UK Foreign Minister David Lammy (L), Vice President JD Vance (3rd-R), Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2nd-R) and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (R) look on at the White House on February 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. Starmer is on his first visit to Washington since President Trump returned to the White House. Starmer’s trip comes shortly after he announced an increase in UK defense spending, ostensibly as a signal to Trump that the UK is prepared to bolster Europe’s security, and as he aims to broker a fair peace deal for Ukraine amid Trump’s warming relations with Russia. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Utah Senator Mike Lee has called the UN a “platform for tyrants,” and Trump recently criticized its inefficiency, questioning the necessity of continued US involvement. His administration has already ordered a review of US participation in UN programs like UNESCO.

The future of US global influence

As Trump’s administration leans further into an “America First” strategy, Musk’s statements have only intensified uncertainty over the future of US involvement in international alliances. Whether these discussions lead to actual policy changes remains to be seen.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.