Elon Musk indicates US should pull out of NATO, UN

Elon Musk has voiced support for the idea of the United States withdrawing from NATO and the United Nations.

Responding to a post on X suggesting the US should leave both organizations, Musk simply replied, "I agree." He did not elaborate further on his position. However, Musk’s endorsement of this idea comes amid a growing movement on the right advocating for the US to disengage from these international alliances Senator Mike Lee has been one of the most vocal proponents of this stance. 

Last month, Lee introduced legislation alongside other lawmakers to withdraw from the UN, calling it "a platform for tyrants and a venue to attack America and her allies." Lee also suggested on Saturday that the US should exit NATO, citing a recent controversy involving Norwegian fuel supplier Haltbakk Bunkers. The company announced it would stop refueling US Navy vessels in protest of President Donald Trump’s Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Europe doesn’t love us,” Lee posted on X on Saturday. “Let’s leave NATO.”

Norway, a NATO member, clarified that it would continue to provide refueling support to US military ships despite Haltbakk Bunkers’ stance.

Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO, arguing that the US bears too much of the financial burden while other member nations fail to contribute their fair share. Similarly, the UN has long been a target of criticism for not being in America’s best interest, especially considering it has granted permanent Security Council membership to US adversaries China and Russia.

Musk, who has been informally leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce government spending, may view NATO and the UN as examples of wasteful US expenditures and could recommend to the president the US abandon its membership from both agreements. In the last fiscal year, Congress approved $1.54 billion for the UN’s core budget, according to The New York Post, in addition to funding various other UN entities.

Last month, Trump cut funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. He also withdrew the US from the UN Human Rights Council.