The image neatly sums up the opening exchanges at the organisation’s gleaming new headquarters in Brussels where Mr Trump fired an extraordinary salvo against Germany.
Leaders from NATO member and partner states are in the Belgian capital for two days of talks which have so far been overshadowed by Mr Trump’s demands for member states to spend more on defence.
The summit is shaping up to be the most divisive since the alliance was forced 69 years ago and Mr Trump was combative from the off.
Officials had been awaiting the first meeting as an indicator of Mr Trump’s mood and they soon had their answer.
The US President accused Germany of being a “a captive of the Russians” because of its dependence on energy supplies.
Sitting opposite NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg Mr Trump described the relationship between Berlin and Moscow as “inappropriate”.
He complained that German politicians had been working for Russian energy companies after leaving politics and said this too was inappropriate.
He then claimed Germany was “totally controlled by Russia”.
Mr Stoltenberg looked uncomfortable throughout but Mr Trump was intent on making his point.
He said: “I think it is very sad when Germany makes a massive oil and gas deal with Russia.
“We are supposed to be guarding against Russia, and Germany goes out and pays billions and billions dollars a year to Russia.”
German Chancellor Angeka Merkel arrived in Brusseks after Mr Trump’s outburst but was quick to respond.
She said: “I have experienced myself how a part of Germany was controlled by the Soviet Union.
“I am very happy that today we are united in freedom, the Federal Republic of Germany.
“Because of that we can say that we can make our independent policies and make independent decisions. That is very good, especially for people in eastern Germany.
“Germany is the second largest provider of troops, the largest part of our military capacity is offered to Nato and until today we have a strong engagement towards Afghanistan.
“In that we also defend the interests of the United States.”