Trump: 'Spain has not been loyal to NATO'

Spain did not join NATO until 1982, after the death of Caudillo Francisco Franco and the transition to constitutional monarchy.

By Ben Whedon

Published: October 17, 2025 2:08pm

President Donald Trump on Friday had harsh words for the Kingdom of Spain over its refusal to raise its defense spending to 5% of GDP as NATO moved its benchmark up at the behest of Washington.

"Spain has not come through. No. Spain has not been loyal to NATO. Spain has been they're the only one everyone went up to," he said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "I mean, you were 2% and they all went up to 5% but Spain disagreed with that."

"I think Spain should be reprimanded for that. I think it's very bad that they did that, but that's up to them. That's up to NATO and Spain," he added.

Spain did not join NATO until 1982, after the death of Caudillo Francisco Franco and the transition to constitutional monarchy. The socialist government of Pedro Sanchez currently maintains power.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.