President Donald Trump has once again attracted the ire of globalists for daring to suggest this weekend that NATO member nations that are delinquent in their payments to the alliance should not get protection from the United States. Trump’s comments came during a campaign rally in South Carolina on Saturday.
“One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well, sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’” Trump said. “I said, ‘You didn’t pay. You’re delinquent.’ He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.”
Trump has been a long-standing critic of NATO and, as President, worked to ensure that NATO members spent the 2 percent of GDP on defense required by membership in the organization. According to 2023 data, 19 of the 30 members of NATO are spending less than that.
“Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the U.S. and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk,” NATO Secretary General Jans Stoltenberg said in a written response. “I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the U.S. will remain a strong and committed NATO ally.”
“Reckless statements on NATO’s security and Art 5 solidarity serve only Putin’s interest. They do not bring more security or peace to the world,” said Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in a statement on social media.
Some European leaders were less concerned, however. “I am not paid to be worried,” said Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics. “Europe must spend more on defense, on capabilities and ramp-up defense production regardless who wins in the U.S. It is in our vital interest.” Latvia is one of the few NATO members meeting its spending requirements.
