Megyn Kelly and other conservative commentators are absolutely right to spotlight President Trump’s blunt diagnosis: a number of our European “allies” have been taking advantage of American muscle and American wallets for decades. At a recent White House meeting the President reminded the country that wealthy European states contribute far less than their fair share toward common defense, and that the United States cannot — and should not — endlessly subsidize their security.
This isn’t mere rhetoric or showmanship; it’s a clear policy posture rooted in plain arithmetic and national interest. Trump has repeatedly pushed the simple logic that allies must pay their NATO commitments — and even suggested that unconditional protection for chronic underpayers is not guaranteed if they refuse to meet their obligations. That hard truth rattles polite diplomats, but it resonates with taxpayers who have watched the defense bill balloon while Washington keeps writing checks.
The elites and pundits who wring their hands about tone forget the real story: Americans are done funding everyone else’s security while our own streets and infrastructure fall behind. Rich conservatives have noted that Europe’s sudden outrage is its own doing; decades of dependency created the conditions for this reckoning, and humiliation may be the corrective the continent needs to shake loose from complacency. If Europe wants continued American protection, it must show it’s willing to shoulder the burden — not posture about values while pocketing American help.
Meanwhile, the Biden era’s reflexive apologetics for our allies only encouraged freeloading. Weakness invites dependence, and dependence invites exploitation; that is why a return to America-first clarity is so important. Trump’s candidness forces an overdue debate about sovereignty, fair trade, and who pays when the geopolitical bill comes due.
To those who accuse him of alienating partners, remember who is elected to serve Americans — not Europeans. If being unpopular overseas is the cost of standing up for the American taxpayer, so be it. The alternative is endless acquiescence to defense freeloading while our military, economy, and working families pay the price for diplomatic niceties that deliver little in return.
Patriotic Americans should applaud a leader who calls out freeloading instead of enabling it. We can defend our values and strengthen alliances, but only if burden-sharing is real and reciprocal; sentimentalism without accountability is bankruptcy in slow motion. It’s time for Congress and the next administration to put the interests of hardworking Americans first, demand accountability from our partners, and stop pretending that endless generosity without reciprocity is a sustainable strategy.
