Fact Check: "Trump's NATO montage is a cringe-worthy, low-budget music video."
What We Know
On June 25, 2025, President Donald Trump's official social media accounts released a video montage set to Usher's song "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)" featuring scenes from the NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands. The video included the caption "Daddy’s home… Hey, hey, hey, Daddy," referencing lyrics from Usher's 2009 hit song. The montage depicted Trump arriving at the summit and interacting with world leaders, aiming to portray a confident and presidential image (USA TODAY, TMZ).
The video was met with mixed reactions, with some describing it as "cringe-worthy" and "low-budget," particularly due to its use of pop music in a political context. Critics have pointed out that Usher himself does not support Trump, having endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election (USA TODAY, TMZ). Additionally, there has been backlash from Usher's fans, who have called for legal action against Trump for using the song without permission (EURweb).
Analysis
The characterization of the video as "cringe-worthy" and "low-budget" reflects subjective opinions rather than objective facts. The term "cringe-worthy" is often used to describe content that evokes discomfort or embarrassment, which aligns with the reactions of some viewers who found the juxtaposition of serious political events with a pop song inappropriate. The video’s production quality, while not explicitly detailed in the sources, is implied to be lacking in sophistication, contributing to the perception of it being "low-budget" (Independent).
The sources used in this fact check vary in reliability. USA TODAY and Independent are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards, while TMZ, while popular, often focuses on entertainment news and may not always adhere to rigorous fact-checking. The backlash from Usher's fans, as reported by EURweb, adds context to the controversy surrounding the video but also reflects the polarized nature of political discourse today (EURweb).
Conclusion
The claim that Trump's NATO montage is a "cringe-worthy, low-budget music video" is Partially True. The video indeed drew criticism for its tone and appropriateness, with many finding it uncomfortable or embarrassing. However, the designation of "low-budget" is subjective and not substantiated by specific evidence regarding production quality. The video serves as a promotional piece that blends political imagery with pop culture, which can elicit varying reactions based on individual perspectives.
Sources
- Trump posts a video using Usher's 'Hey Daddy' song - USA TODAY
- Qui est Massad Boulos, ce libanais conseiller de TRUMP
- Usher Fans Call for Legal Action Over Trump 'Hey Daddy' Video
- Pourquoi la fureur de Trump et Vance contre Zelensky
- Donald Trump's WH Promo Video Brags That He's 'Daddy' To NATO Leaders - TMZ
- Trump White House drops 'Daddy's Home' music video
- Pourquoi ce chapeau de Melania Trump - JForum
- White House posts cringe-worthy 'Daddy's Home' video after NATO chief