Viral social media posts falsely claim that Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, announced a complete withdrawal of US troops from Europe. These posts misrepresent his statements made during a Fox News interview, where he expressed concerns about NATO's effectiveness and the US's military presence in Europe. Rubio criticized the lack of support from European allies during the Strait of Hormuz crisis, suggesting a reevaluation of NATO's value for the US. However, he did not advocate for a total troop withdrawal. Currently, approximately 80,000 US troops are stationed in Europe, with 36,000 in Germany alone. The Pentagon has plans to reduce troop levels, but legislation restricts cuts below 76,000 troops for more than 45 days without specific conditions being met. Colonel Martin O'Donnell, a NATO senior military advisor, indicated potential troop reductions aligned with European nations enhancing their defense capabilities. Despite criticisms, NATO has historically benefitted the US, particularly illustrated by the invocation of Article 5 following the 9/11 attacks, which led to increased cooperation and support from NATO allies.