Fact Check: "NATO chief calls Trump 'Daddy' in shocking display of brown-nosing."
What We Know
The claim that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg referred to Donald Trump as "Daddy" appears to stem from a misinterpretation of social media reactions following Stoltenberg's recent return to Norwegian politics. According to a Reuters article, some Labour politicians in Norway humorously referred to Stoltenberg's return with phrases like "Daddy is Home!" This was not a direct quote from Stoltenberg himself but rather a playful commentary from his political allies.
Furthermore, there is no credible evidence or direct statement from Stoltenberg addressing Trump in such a manner. The context of the claim seems to have been exaggerated or misrepresented in various discussions, particularly in political commentary.
Analysis
The sources available do not support the claim that Stoltenberg directly called Trump "Daddy." The Reuters report clearly indicates that the phrase originated from social media reactions rather than from Stoltenberg himself. The use of "Daddy" in this context was meant to convey a sense of nostalgia or excitement about Stoltenberg's return to politics, rather than any form of sycophancy towards Trump.
Additionally, a CNN report mentions Trump's comments about being referred to as "Daddy" but does not attribute this language to Stoltenberg (CNN). This further indicates that the claim is based on a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the actual events and statements involved.
The reliability of the sources is generally high, with Reuters being a reputable news organization known for its fact-based reporting. The playful nature of the social media comments, however, suggests a level of informality that does not lend itself to serious political analysis.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg called Donald Trump "Daddy" is unfounded. It misrepresents a light-hearted social media comment made by Labour politicians in Norway regarding Stoltenberg's political comeback, rather than a direct statement from Stoltenberg himself. Therefore, the assertion lacks factual basis and context.
