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Trump Shares Misleading NATO Spending Chart; Germany to Double Budget

7/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump posted a graph that mixes allies’ total defense budgets with NATO contributions.
The chart lists $999 billion for the United States and $90.5 billion for the United Kingdom, reflecting total defense spending, not NATO payments.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Trump’s remarks could make the NATO summit in Ankara tense.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany will double its defense budget within four years, emphasizing its EU role.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump posted a graph that mixes allies’ total defense budgets with NATO contributions.
The chart lists $999 billion for the United States and $90.5 billion for the United Kingdom, reflecting total defense spending, not NATO payments.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Trump’s remarks could make the NATO summit in Ankara tense.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany will double its defense budget within four years, emphasizing its EU role.