NATO Underfunding by Europe

I live in the U.S. but was born in Eastern Europe… I always wondered how Europe was able to afford its social benefits… so I asked ChatGPT and these numbers are pretty eye opening…

According to ChatGPT, total NATO underfunding by Europe: $15.7 trillion (without interest).

With even a low 2% annual interest rate assumption since NATO’s founding in 1949, the total amount NATO countries have underfunded their defense (including interest) is $70.7 trillion. We had to borrow to fund this so applying an interest rate is appropriate.

This is nearly triple the current U.S. national debt!

If NATO allies had contributed fairly, the U.S. could have avoided massive debt accumulation and redirected funds into social benefits, infrastructure, and economic growth.

This means the U.S. taxpayer has subsidized European defense for decades, while Europe redirected spending toward domestic entitlements (e.g., free healthcare, social programs).

NATO was created to protect Europe, not the U.S., yet the U.S. has carried most of the financial burden.

Trump’s strategy is to force NATO countries to pay their fair share—or risk losing U.S. protection…

To be honest… as an American taxpayer… this is outrageous. How has this been allowed to happen for so long?