WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The White House joined a viral social media trend on Thursday by embracing President Donald Trump’s new “Daddy” nickname. The lighthearted moment began after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte jokingly called Trump “Daddy” during a meeting at the NATO Summit. That playful remark set the stage for a video that the White House shared on social media.
The White House released a one-minute video on Thursday set to Usher’s 2010 hit song “Hey Daddy.” The clip showed Trump stepping off Air Force One after his return home from the NATO Summit. It also included footage of him chatting warmly with Rutte and other world leaders during the summit in The Hague, Netherlands.
“Daddy’s home. Hey, hey, hey, Daddy,” the White House wrote in the caption. This lighthearted post went viral and fueled the online buzz around Trump’s new nickname.
Rutte gave Trump the nickname after the president compared the long-running Iran-Israel conflict to a fight between schoolchildren. Trump told reporters that they acted like “two kids fighting in a schoolyard.” Rutte responded with humor. “And then daddy has to sometimes use strong language,” he said.
That comment referred to Trump’s earlier remarks about the fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The president had expressed his anger over the country’s continued attacks despite agreeing to stop. “The two countries have fought so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f— they’re doing,” Trump told reporters.
Trump laughed at Rutte’s joke and admitted that everyone sometimes “has to use a certain word.” Later, a reporter asked him about the nickname. Trump said that Rutte had meant it warmly. “He did it very affectionately,” Trump replied. “Daddy, you’re my daddy,” he added with a smile.
As the issue gained attention online, Rutte explained his use of playful language. He stressed that he never intended to offend Trump. Instead, he wanted to highlight America’s role as a strong ally. “In Europe, I sometimes hear countries ask me, ‘Hey, Mark, will the U.S. stay with us?’” Rutte told The Independent. “That sounds like a small child asking his daddy, ‘Hey, are you still staying with the family?’”
Rutte also worked to make the summit a positive experience. He cut the summit’s schedule and even hosted Trump at the royal palace. Other world leaders jokingly nicknamed him the “Trump Whisperer” because of his skill in keeping the president engaged.
The NATO Summit took place in The Hague, amid ongoing serious conflicts worldwide. The tense ceasefire between Iran and Israel remained fragile and uncertain. Leaders talked about the need for stronger international action to manage conflicts like these before they grow. Trump himself said that international leaders must intervene sooner.
Still, the humorous exchange between Trump and Rutte gave the summit a lighter tone. The video quickly went viral as people around the world shared and commented on the clip.
