Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has once again stirred controversy by endorsing the idea of the United States cutting ties with the United Nations and NATO. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who also leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump's administration, has now backed the idea on X.
This due to a response to a post on X by right-wing commentator Gunther Eagleman, a vocal supporter of Trump who writes, "It’s time to leave NATO and the UN", to which Musk bluntly replied, "I agree."
His statement comes amid a growing push from Republican lawmakers to sever U.S. ties with the United Nations.
Senator Mike Lee recently introduced a bill calling for a full withdrawal from the UN in 2025, including pulling out of all affiliated agencies and cutting off American financial contributions. A similar proposal is being prepared for the House of Representatives by Congressman Chip Roy from Texas.
The push aligns with Trump’s "America First" policy, which has long been critical of multinational organizations. In early February, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council for the second time, citing what he described as the body's bias and inefficiency.
Musk’s involvement in U.S. policy discussions has increased significantly since he took on the role of leading the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump. While his comments on social media are often provocative, they also signal his growing influence in shaping the administration’s priorities.
Whether or not the U.S. will actually withdraw from the UN or NATO remains uncertain, but with support from high-profile figures like Musk and key Republican lawmakers, the debate is gaining momentum. If Trump secures a second term, such proposals could move from rhetoric to reality, redefining America’s role on the world stage.
A Shift in U.S. Global Strategy?
If successful, the proposed legislation would mark a historic shift in U.S. foreign policy, ending decades of American leadership in the international body. The United States is currently the largest financial contributor to the UN, providing approximately 22% of its regular budget and nearly 25% of its peacekeeping budget. A full withdrawal would dramatically reshape global governance, weakening institutions that rely on U.S. funding and influence.
The suggestion of leaving NATO, a military alliance that has been central to American defense policy since 1949, is even more contentious. While Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for not contributing enough financially, fully exiting the alliance would represent an unprecedented break from nearly 75 years of strategic military partnerships.
