Elon Musk Backs U.S. Exit from NATO and the United Nations

Billionaire Elon Musk has thrown his support behind the idea that the United States should withdraw from NATO and the United Nations—an opinion that has gained traction among some Republican lawmakers.

On March 1, Musk, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, responded to a post on his social media platform X, which stated, “It’s time for the U.S. to leave NATO and the United Nations.” With just two words—“I agree.”—Musk signaled his endorsement.

His stance quickly found support among several Republican senators, including Mike Lee, a longtime critic of NATO who has openly questioned whether the U.S. should remain in the alliance. “Let’s get out of NATO. There’s no better time than now,” Lee wrote.

Senator Lee has long argued that NATO is “a great deal for Europe but an unfair burden on the United States.” In his view, Washington is pouring resources into protecting European allies while doing little to safeguard America itself.

Finnish lawmaker Martin Paasi fired back at Musk, warning that such a move would erode global confidence in the United States. “No one will trust the U.S. government for decades to come,” he said.

Musk’s influence within the U.S. government is no secret. Just last week, he attended President Trump’s first cabinet meeting since taking office. According to U.S. media reports, Musk’s backing of a NATO exit suggests the idea may be gaining real consideration within the White House.

If the U.S. were to leave NATO, the consequences for Western security would be seismic. European leaders have already voiced growing concerns about President Trump’s commitment to the alliance, particularly in the face of Russian aggression and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

NATO currently consists of 32 member states, including the U.S., Canada, and 30 European nations. Just days after taking office, Trump made his position clear: “The U.S. is protecting NATO members, but they are not protecting us.” He has repeatedly pushed for NATO allies to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP—far beyond the current 2% target, a figure no member, including the U.S., has yet to meet.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sought to reassure allies on February 27, revealing that he had spoken with President Trump and emphasized that NATO is “stronger than ever.” He also noted that member states are preparing to contribute billions of dollars in additional aid to bolster Ukraine’s security.