The Day America Abandons NATO

Americans all pay the price.

If President Donald Trump follows through on his repeated threats to withdraw the United States from NATO, it will be one of the most consequential and dangerous decisions in modern American history. This isn't just a foreign policy debate for diplomats and military strategists—it will impact the lives of every single American. From national security to economic stability, the fallout will ripple across the country in ways most people have not yet fully grasped.

Trump floated this idea during his first term, and those of us in national security took it as a grave threat. At the time, cooler heads prevailed. But now, with an administration that justifies every reckless move he makes, the danger is more real than ever. The past few days have been a case study in this dangerous trajectory—culminating in a disturbing Oval Office exchange between President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Watching that moment unfold, it became clear: we must prepare for the worst. The unraveling of NATO is no longer just a possibility—it's likely coming.

NATO: A Lifeline for America, Not a Burden

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established in 1949 as a collective defense pact between the U.S. and its European allies to counter the Soviet Union. The core of NATO is Article 5, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. This has only been invoked once—after 9/11 when our allies came to defend us. In our darkest hour, NATO stood by America. That alliance kept us safe. A poignant reminder of that moment resides in the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

For decades, NATO has deterred Russian aggression, upheld a balance of power, and allowed the U.S. to project strength globally without engaging in direct wars on our own soil. However, under Trump, that stability is unraveling. The foundation of NATO itself is at risk. For most Americans, NATO might seem like an abstract foreign alliance. But if Trump pulls out, here's how it will hit home:

1. Higher Gas and Energy Prices

A U.S. withdrawal emboldens Russia, which has already weaponized energy. If Europe is forced to scramble for alternative energy sources, global prices will skyrocket. Americans will pay more for gas, electricity, and home heating.

The latest news reinforces how dangerous this trajectory is: Trump ally Richard Grenell—who sued me for calling out his far-right extremism (a lawsuit that was just dismissed, by the way)—has apparently been holding secret meetings with a longtime Putin ally and former spy, Matthias Warnig, to restart the Nord Stream 2 pipeline deal with U.S. backing. They have quickly denied when the news hit that this is happening. This move, should it come to fruition, would make Europe more dependent on Russian energy, weaken Western unity, and hand Putin more power. In response to this report, Germany's economy ministry issued a statement: "Independence from Russian gas is of strategic importance to the German government in terms of security policy, and it is sticking to it."

2. Higher Military Costs & Higher Taxes

NATO is a cost-sharing alliance. Trump rages about allies not paying their fair share, but the truth is the U.S. contributes only about 16% of NATO's budget—far less than the cost of defending Europe alone.

If NATO collapses:

• America would have to spend billions more on defense.

• Taxes would rise, or military budgets would explode at the cost of other programs.

• The U.S. would lose access to key strategic bases in Europe.

3. A More Dangerous World → Economic Instability

Without NATO, Europe would be vulnerable to Russian military aggression, which would destabilize global markets. A war in Europe—where many American businesses operate—could cause severe downturns, job losses, and a financial crisis here at home.

4. More Russian Cyberattacks & Election Meddling

NATO allies share intelligence and cybersecurity resources. Without this cooperation, the U.S. would be far more exposed to Russian cyberattacks targeting:

• Infrastructure (power grids, water systems, hospitals).

• Financial institutions (banking disruptions, stolen data).

• Elections (disinformation, hacking, foreign interference).

And yet, Trump's Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just ordered a halt to offensive cyber operations against Russia—giving Putin a free pass. This is a betrayal of our national security.

5. Trump's Loyalty Lies with Putin, Not America

Trump's hostility to NATO isn't just about cost-sharing—it's about reshaping the world order to benefit Russia. His record speaks for itself:

✅ Weakening U.S. Alliances: Trump praises Putin as a "strong leader" while signaling he won't protect allies from Russian aggression.

✅ Blocking Aid to Ukraine: Trump recently paused all military aid to Ukraine after a heated Oval Office exchange with Zelenskyy—a move that directly benefits Russia.

✅ Pulling U.S. Troops from Europe: He has already withdrawn troops, giving Russia a freer hand in Eastern Europe.

✅ Helping Russia Control Energy Markets: Trump allies are quietly working to restart Nord Stream 2, allowing Putin to tighten his grip over Europe.

✅ Project 2025: Laying the Groundwork for NATO's Demise

This isn't just Trump's personal admiration for Putin. It's a deliberate policy shift backed by the conservative think tanks behind Project 2025—the extreme conservative's roadmap for this entire Trump term.

Their goal?

• Limit U.S. support for NATO.

• Halt aid to Ukraine.

• Push an isolationist agenda—weakening America's global leadership.

One thing of note—in their playbook they state “regardless of viewpoints, all sides agree that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is unjust and that the Ukrainian people have a right to defend their homeland.” Trump must have skipped that sentence in that chapter.

The MAGA faction is winning. And you know who else is winning? Russia.

Recently, Elon Musk posted on social media and publicly backed the idea of the U.S. withdrawing from NATO, even extending his stance to the United Nations. Given his immense influence, this rhetoric only fuels Trump's justification for undermining our alliances. It plays directly into Putin's hands, normalizing a shift that would make America and its allies weaker while emboldening authoritarian regimes. Polling shows that 46% of Republicans now see Russia as a 'friend.' Let that sink in. Putin is celebrating.

Trump's Address to Congress Tonight: The Moment of Truth

Yes, he’ll applaud DOGE and brag about his performative immigration enforcement. He’ll navigate the federal workers in the audience who are a reminder to the American people of what’s really happening to them. He’ll plan some surprises, and he’ll justify the blocking of aid to Ukraine. Watch closely.

• Will he double down on his threats to withdraw from NATO?

• Will he frame it as a "burden" instead of the pillar of global security that it is?

• Will he embolden our adversaries while undermining our allies?

His administration's actions—halting cyber operations against Russia, allowing Putin to dominate Europe's energy supply, and pausing military aid to Ukraine—are already setting the stage.

If he signals ANY wavering on NATO, it will send shockwaves through our allies and embolden Putin. This could be the moment America begins its retreat from the world stage. Trump's plan is clear: Weaken NATO. Disengage from Ukraine. Embrace isolationism. If we don't stop him, Russia wins. America loses…and the world becomes a far more dangerous place.

Talk to your family, your friends, your neighbors. NATO may seem like some distant diplomatic pact, but in reality, it's that one unwavering friend—the one who, no matter how much you've ignored them, no matter how many times you've taken them for granted, still shows up when you're at your lowest. Think back to 9/11—when America was reeling, it was NATO that stood by our side, answering the call. But now, under Trump, that friend—the one who has always had our back—is being pushed away. And if we keep pushing, one day, when we need them most, they won't be there. Because loyalty isn't a one-way street. And once it's gone, there's no getting it back.

Until next time,

Olivia