Gizem Nisa Çebi
15 February 2024•Update: 16 February 2024
ISTANBUL
Former US President Donald Trump stirred controversy again when he doubled down on remarks that he would not, if he were to reclaim the White House, defend NATO members who fail to meet defense spending targets.
“Listen, if they refuse to pay, we won't offer protection, alright?” said Trump, reaffirming previous remarks.
The comments, made during a public appearance in the US state of South Carolina, shed light on Trump's stance on NATO and drew swift condemnation.
Trump recounted a conversation with a NATO member but he deliberately omitted a contentious line that allegedly encouraged Russia to target allies who fail to fulfill their obligations to the alliance.
“Nobody’s paying their bills,” he said.
The omission raised eyebrows and fueled concerns about Trump's approach to diplomacy and national security.
Prominent American figures such as 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley, Trump’s former UN ambassador, and US President Joe Biden, swiftly denounced Trump's remarks as “dangerous” and “un-American.”
“A former president of the United States saying that? The whole world heard it. And the worst thing is he means it. No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator,” Biden said after Trump encouraged Russia to “do whatever the hell they want.”
Trump's comments drew attention to his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Putin is not a fan of mine,” said Trump, referencing an interview in which Putin purportedly expressed a preference for Biden as president.
Biden, meanwhile, advocated for a foreign aid package to support Ukraine, which Trump opposed, suggesting a loan instead.
“Why should you just hand it over to them?” said Trump.
During his time in office, Trump had a notoriously tense relationship with NATO allies, in public, where he often berated traditional friends of the US while praising longtime foes, and in private, where he reportedly pushed to have the US leave the alliance.
