White House called his comments ‘appalling’ and unhinged’, adding they endangered national security
11 February 2024 •
Donald Trump said on Saturday that as president, he warned Nato allies that he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to countries that are “delinquent” as he ramped up his attacks on foreign aid and longstanding international alliances.
Speaking at a rally in Conway, South Carolina, Mr Trump recounted a story he has told before about an unidentified Nato member who confronted him over his threat not to defend members who fail to meet the trans-Atlantic alliance’s defence spending targets.
But this time, Mr Trump went further, saying had told the member that he would, in fact, “encourage” Russia to do as it wishes in that case.
“‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’” Mr Trump recounted saying. “‘No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.’”
Nato allies agreed in 2014, after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, to halt the spending cuts they had made after the Cold War and move toward spending 2pc of their GDPs on defence by 2024.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates responded, saying that: “Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged – and it endangers American national security, global stability, and our economy at home.”
Mr Trump’s comments come as Ukraine remains mired in its efforts to stave off Russia’s invasion and as Republicans in Congress have become increasingly skeptical of providing additional aid money to the country as it struggles with stalled counteroffensives and weapons shortfalls.
They also come as Mr Trump and his team are increasingly confident he will lock up the nomination in the coming weeks following commanding victories in the first votes of the 2024 Republican nominating calendar.
Earlier on Saturday, Mr Trump called for the end of foreign aid “WITHOUT ‘STRINGS’ ATTACHED”, arguing that the US should dramatically curtail the way it provides money.
“FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, ARE YOU LISTENING US SENATE(?), NO MONEY IN THE FORM OF FOREIGN AID SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ANY COUNTRY UNLESS IT IS DONE AS A LOAN, NOT JUST A GIVEAWAY,” Mr Trump wrote on his social media network in all-caps letters.
During his 2016 campaign, Mr Trump alarmed Western allies by warning that the United States, under his leadership, might abandon its Nato treaty commitments and only come to the defence of countries that meet the alliance’s guidelines by committing 2pc of their gross domestic products to military spending.
Mr Trump, as president, eventually endorsed Nato’s Article 5 mutual defence clause, which states that an armed attack against one or more of its members shall be considered an attack against all members.
But he often depicted Nato allies as leeches on the US military and openly questioned the value of the military alliance that has defined American foreign policy for decades.
As of 2022, Nato reported that seven of what are now 31 Nato member countries were meeting that obligation — up from three in 2014. Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has spurred additional military spending by some Nato members.
Mr Trump has often tried to take credit for that increase, and said on Saturday that, as a results of his threats, “hundreds of billions of dollars came into Nato” – even though countries do not pay Nato directly.
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This is further proof that Trump shares putler’s affliction : psychopathy. You can Google the behavioral characteristics, but essentially psychopaths lack empathy. ZERO. A psychopath like putler can sit in his chair watching a person being tortured and feel nothing; not even a raised heartbeat.
The fact that Trump can make such an outrageous comment demonstrates that he feels absolutely nothing for the death, misery and horror that a major ally; Ukraine, has suffered.
Consequently, it must be determined that Trump is unfit for public office.
“Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged – and it endangers American national security, global stability, and our economy at home.”
The statements made by Trump above are enough evidence to prove that he’s not only got a mind of a teenager, but is also irresponsible as one and is a downright lunatic.
What’s most obvious is Trump’s narcissism, imho. He’s easily manipulated by flattery. From Europe, he got none, rather cold shoulders instead, but Putin expertly made him feel like a highly esteemed buddy. And that explains Trump’s foreign policy. It’s all about personal interest and vanity, not a single real political consideration behind it.
Yes, Trump is an egomaniac. He’s the worst one I’ve ever had the displeasure to witness, surpassing even Merkel.