Trump Threatens Troop Withdrawal from Italy, Spain, and Germany Over Iran War Criticism

President Trump threatened to withdraw U.S. troops from multiple European NATO allies, stating "yeah, I probably will" when asked about pulling forces from Italy and Spain. This followed his earlier threats against Germany after Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the U.S. as being "humiliated" by Iran in the ongoing war. The Pentagon subsequently announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany within 6-12 months. Trump accused NATO allies of failing to support the U.S. during the Iran conflict and called NATO a "paper tiger" for not entering the war. The threats represent a significant escalation in transatlantic tensions and weaponization of military deployments against allied democracies that criticized his war policies.

"Yeah, I probably will [pull troops from Italy and Spain]. NATO allies have not supported the U.S. during the Iran war. [NATO is] a paper tiger for not entering the war." — Response to press questions about potential troop withdrawals from European NATO allies following criticism of U.S. Iran war policy