The White House tapped into a viral social media storm on Thursday, posting a dramatic video of US President Donald Trump arriving at the NATO summit. The footage featured Usher’s 2010 hit “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home),” adding an unexpected pop culture twist to Trump’s official visit.
The timing aligned with a separate buzzworthy moment from the summit, where NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte jokingly referred to Trump as “Daddy” during a closed-door meeting in The Hague. Captioned “Daddy’s home… Hey, hey, hey, Daddy,” the White House post leaned into the meme, igniting even more online attention.
Rutte’s ‘Daddy’ Remark Sparks Global Buzz
During a private exchange on the Iran-Israel conflict, Trump likened the nations’ rivalry to a schoolyard brawl. “They’ve had a big fight, like two kids in a schoolyard,” he said. “You know, they fight like hell. You can’t stop them. Let them fight for about two, three minutes, then it’s easier to stop.” Rutte replied, “And then Daddy has to sometimes use strong language,” referencing Trump’s earlier profanity-laced frustration over the ceasefire breakdown: “They’ve been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*ck they’re doing, do you understand that?”
Trump later laughed off the “Daddy” nickname, saying, “Everyone said, ‘Well, you have to use a certain word.’” The exchange quickly made headlines, with many interpreting Rutte’s comment as both a joke and a signal of familiarity in managing Trump’s rhetoric.
Trump Whisperer Strategy
Rutte, dubbed the “Trump Whisperer” in diplomatic circles, has adopted a strategic, almost personalised approach to Trump since becoming NATO’s Secretary General. He shortened the summit’s schedule, ensured Trump stayed overnight at the royal palace Huis ten Bosch, and delivered what Trump called a “royal treatment.” These gestures seemed designed to keep the unpredictable US president at ease throughout his visit.
When asked whether the “Daddy” nickname was undignified, Rutte brushed it off: “No, I don’t think so. I think it’s a bit of a question of taste.” The White House’s theatrical video response confirmed the administration’s willingness to lean into the moment and capitalise on the viral nickname.