President Donald Trump’s tough talk on NATO spending just got a surprising endorsement from an unlikely source. On Fox News, a former Clinton official and Biden staffer admitted that Trump’s pressure tactics are paying off for America’s European allies. It’s a rare moment of clarity in a world often clouded by partisan fog.
Breitbart reported that Jamie Metzl, a seasoned Atlantic Council Senior Fellow and former World Health Organization adviser, lauded Trump’s push to get NATO allies to boost their defense budgets during a Wednesday broadcast.
This wasn’t just idle chatter—Metzl’s resume, including stints under Clinton’s National Security Council and Biden’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee, gives his words weight. Yet, his praise for Trump cuts through the usual progressive talking points like a hot knife through butter.
The exchange unfolded on Fox News Channel’s “Fox News @ Night,” hosted by Trace Gallagher. Around 5:55 into the show, Gallagher pressed Metzl on whether Trump deserved credit for NATO’s financial awakening. Metzl didn’t hesitate, handing Trump a win that even the most ardent MAGA supporter might not have expected from a Beltway insider.
“Trump went to NATO. He got these people to kind of pony up some dough,” Gallagher said, setting the stage. Metzl’s response was unequivocal: “Absolutely.” For once, a D.C. veteran didn’t dodge the obvious—Trump’s relentless badgering worked.
Metzl argued that Trump’s hardline stance forced European NATO allies to step up their defense contributions. Europe, he noted, faces a “fundamental threat” from Russia, a reality that demands more than just U.S. muscle. It’s refreshing to hear someone admit that America can’t—and shouldn’t—carry the world’s defense burden alone.
European allies have indeed increased their defense spending, a direct result of Trump’s arm-twisting, according to Metzl. This isn’t just about dollars; it’s about fairness. Why should American taxpayers foot the bill while Europe skimps on its own security?
Metzl emphasized that European partners are vital to U.S. security. He’s not wrong—NATO’s strength hinges on collective commitment, not just American firepower. But his admission that Trump’s pressure sparked this change is a bitter pill for the anti-Trump crowd to swallow.
“President Trump put a lot of pressure on our European allies, and our European allies need to step up,” Metzl said.
He’s stating the obvious, yet it’s a truth too often buried under woke platitudes about global cooperation. Trump’s approach—call it brash or bold—got results where diplomacy alone faltered.
The United States, Metzl noted, has security responsibilities spanning Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This global juggling act isn’t sustainable without allies pulling their weight. Trump’s critics might scoff, but Metzl’s words expose the folly of expecting America to play lone sheriff indefinitely.
“Europe is at risk,” Metzl warned, pointing to Russia’s looming threat. It’s a sobering reminder that geopolitics doesn’t care about partisan loyalty. Trump’s push for NATO accountability aligns with a reality even his detractors can’t ignore.
Metzl’s praise isn’t a full-throated MAGA rally cry, but it’s close enough to raise eyebrows. “President Trump deserves enormous credit for putting pressure on them to do so,” he said of Europe’s spending hike. Coming from a Clinton-Biden alum, that’s practically a love letter in D.C. terms.
Trump’s tactics—often mocked as undiplomatic—proved effective where softer approaches failed. The left loves to lecture about multilateralism, but Metzl’s comments suggest Trump’s unapologetic style delivered what their endless summits couldn’t. It’s a win for common sense over bureaucratic inertia.
European allies, Metzl stressed, are essential to America’s own security. But “they’ve got to step up,” he insisted, echoing a sentiment that resonates with every American tired of subsidizing others’ defense. Trump’s pressure campaign turned that frustration into action.
The fact that a former Clinton official is giving Trump props should make headlines on its own. It’s a rare crack in the establishment’s armor, admitting that MAGA’s outsider approach can outshine their polished playbook. Maybe, just maybe, the swamp is starting to notice.
