Musk endorses U.S. withdrawal from UN and NATO: A shift in international alliances

By bellecarter // 2025-03-06

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Elon Musk publicly supported the idea of the U.S. withdrawing from the UN and NATO, aligning with the growing skepticism within the Trump administration.
Musk's stance is driven by the belief that the U.S. bears an unfair financial burden for these organizations and that NATO is "anachronistic" and no longer relevant in the post-Cold War era.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the DEFUND Act, which calls for a complete U.S. withdrawal from the UN, citing its failures in preventing conflicts and human rights violations and has gained support from other Republican lawmakers.
U.S. withdrawal from these institutions could significantly impact global security and diplomatic relations, potentially undermining international cooperation on issues like climate change, human rights and peacekeeping.
The endorsement reflects broader tensions and reevaluation of traditional alliances, as seen in recent diplomatic incidents, including the public clash with Ukrainian President Zelensky and concerns from European leaders about the U.S.'s commitment to NATO.

Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has publicly endorsed the idea of the United States withdrawing from both the United Nations (UN) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Musk's support, expressed on the social media platform X, aligns with growing skepticism within the Trump administration toward these international institutions. The move, if realized, could have profound implications for global security and diplomatic relations. On Sunday, March 2, Musk responded to a post by user @GuntherEagleman, who wrote, "It's time to leave NATO and the UN." Musk simply replied, "I agree." This endorsement comes as the Trump administration, particularly through the efforts of Republican lawmakers like Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), has increasingly questioned the value and cost of U.S. participation in these alliances. The roots of this skepticism date back to President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, when he described the UN as "weak and incompetent" and criticized NATO for being "obsolete." Trump's criticisms have been rooted in the belief that the U.S. shoulders an unfair financial burden for these organizations. For example, the U.S. provides approximately 67 percent of NATO's military expenses, despite spending only 3.5 percent of its GDP on defense. In February, Lee introduced the Disengaging Entirely from the United Nations Debacle (DEFUND) Act, calling the UN a "platform for tyrants" that has failed to prevent wars, genocides and human rights violations. Lee's bill proposes a complete U.S. withdrawal from the UN, a move that has gained support from other Republican lawmakers.

Musk's influence and policy implications

As the head of DOGE, Musk has been tasked with finding ways to cut federal spending and reduce the federal workforce. In February, DOGE released a report estimating $55 billion in savings through cost-cutting measures. Musk's stance on the UN and NATO is consistent with his broader fiscal and efficiency goals. Elise Stefanik, Trump's nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the UN, has also criticized the UN's financial practices and called for a "Global DOGE" initiative to reform international governance. Stefanik has pledged to push for defunding and dismantling UN-affiliated organizations accused of corruption and antisemitism. Musk's support for leaving NATO is driven by his view that the alliance is "anachronistic" and no longer relevant in the post-Cold War era. He argues that American taxpayers should not cover a significant portion of Europe's defense costs. This position aligns with Trump's frequent criticisms of NATO and his demands that European allies increase their defense spending. The potential withdrawal of the U.S. from NATO and the UN would mark a dramatic shift in global alliances and security. NATO, a transnational military alliance comprising 32 member states, has been a cornerstone of trans-Atlantic security since its founding in 1949. The alliance's core principle, enshrined in Article 5, is that an attack on one member is an attack on all. This principle was last invoked following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The withdrawal from the UN could similarly undermine global diplomatic efforts and international cooperation on issues ranging from climate change to human rights. The UN has played a crucial role in peacekeeping, humanitarian aid and conflict resolution. Critics argue that the U.S. pulling out of these institutions would leave a power vacuum that could be filled by other nations or groups less committed to democratic values and international law.

Recent developments and international reactions

The recent Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the tensions surrounding U.S. foreign policy. Zelensky left Washington early without finalizing a mineral deal after a public clash with Trump and Vance. European leaders, including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, have expressed concern over Trump's commitment to the alliance, particularly in light of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. (Related: Musk, Trump criticize Zelensky over leadership and war spending as U.S. aid debate heats up.) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have visited the White House in recent weeks, signaling ongoing efforts to maintain strong trans-Atlantic ties despite the growing skepticism. However, the public spat with Zelensky and the support from figures like Musk and Lee suggest that the U.S. may be reconsidering its traditional alliances. Watch the video below that talks about the U.S. never seeing Ukraine in NATO. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Musk's influence and policy implications

Recent developments and international reactions

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