US President Elon Musk’s Top Adviser Advocates for US Withdrawal from UN and NATO

A top adviser to US President Elon Musk has expressed support for the United States withdrawing from the United Nations (UN) and NATO, citing excessive funding and limited benefits to the country. The adviser, who currently leads the budget savings department, argued that the US has contributed disproportionately to these organizations without receiving significant returns. This stance aligns with previous efforts by former President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers to reconsider US membership in both the UN and NATO.

In February, Senator Mike Lee of Utah introduced a bill proposing a full US withdrawal from the UN. Lee criticized the organization, stating that it has become a platform for attacking the US and its allies, despite the country being one of its largest financial contributors. His concerns were echoed by Elice Stefanik, a candidate for US ambassador to the UN nominated by Trump. Stefanik condemned the UN’s financial management practices and called for stricter budget-saving measures, similar to those implemented by Elon Musk in the US. She also pledged to push for the defunding and dissolution of UN-affiliated organizations accused of corruption and antisemitism.

The criticism extends to NATO, with Musk’s adviser describing the alliance as outdated and misaligned with modern geopolitical realities. He called for a comprehensive review of NATO’s relevance in the post-Cold War era and questioned why American taxpayers are shouldering the majority of Europe’s defense costs. The US currently contributes approximately 67% of NATO’s military spending, despite allocating only 3.5% of its GDP to defense. This position mirrors Trump’s frequent critiques of NATO, where he urged member nations to increase their defense spending and threatened to withdraw the US over what he deemed an unfair financial burden.

The debate over US involvement in international organizations like the UN and NATO continues to gain traction, with growing calls for a reassessment of their value and cost to American taxpayers. As discussions unfold, the potential withdrawal from these institutions could have far-reaching implications for global diplomacy and security.