On Saturday, former President Donald Trump raised some eyebrows around the globe when he heavily criticized NATO, saying he would let Russia “do whatever the hell they want” to any of the alliance’s countries.
The comments from Trump were in reference to a time when he was president and how he worked with NATO. He said that the organization was “busted” before he became president and then criticized the contributions that member nations make to the group.
“One of the presidents of a big country stood up, said, “Well, sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’” Trump said at a rally in South Carolina. “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.”
The comments from Trump have left many worried, as NATO and Russia continue to be locked in a standoff about Ukraine and other nations joining the alliance.
The White House responded to Trump’s words, with spokesperson Andrew Bates calling them “unhinged.”
“Thanks to President Biden’s experienced leadership, NATO is now the largest and most vital it has ever been,” White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in the statement. “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.”
During his rally, Trump also slammed the recent Senate foreign aid bill, saying that the US should instead give it to Ukraine “as a loan.”
The $95.3 billion package was passed in the Senate on Friday, with aid for Ukraine and Israel inside.
The move to pass the aid package came after a bipartisan border bill that included aid and a solution for the border failed as soon as it reached the House.
Trump has shared his displeasure with both resolutions, calling the border legislation a “death wish” for the Republican party.
“Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill, which only gives Shutdown Authority after 5000 Encounters a day, when we already have the right to CLOSE THE BORDER NOW, which must be done,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.