Donald Trump threatens to encourage Russia to attack NATO countries

Donald Trump frequently denounced the functioning of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) during his presidency from January 2017 to January 2021. He wanted member states to pay more to balance burden sharing with the United States. This Saturday he went even further, threatening to dismantle the alliance if it lacks funding.

At a rally in South Carolina, he said that if re-elected, he would no longer guarantee NATO protection from Russia. At the same time, he reported a conversation with one of the NATO heads of state, without mentioning his name. “One of the presidents of a large country stood up and said: : Well, sir, if we don’t pay and Russia attacks us, will you protect us? “says the billionaire before revealing his answer. “No, I won’t protect you. In fact, I would advise them to do whatever they want with you. You must pay your debts.” The NATO Treaty provides for a response from NATO members in the event of an attack on one of them.

The announcement came as Trump, the likely Republican nominee against Democratic President Joe Biden in November’s presidential election, pressured Republican elected officials in Congress to bury a bill that would also include new aid to Ukraine. as a reform of migration policy.

“Encouraging an invasion by our closest allies is terrible.”

The White House, the president’s residence, responded to Trump’s remarks by touting Biden’s efforts to strengthen alliances around the world. “Encouraging the invasion of our closest allies by murderous regimes is terrible and senseless,” spokesman Andrew Bates responded. “Instead of calling for war and promoting chaos, President Biden will continue to support American leadership. »

The agreement, blocked in Congress, provided for additional aid to Ukraine and Israel. The $95 billion (about 86 billion euros) figure will be discussed next week and includes funds for Israel’s fight against Hamas and for key strategic ally Taiwan. The lion’s share, however, will help Ukraine replenish its stockpiles of ammunition, weapons and other essentials as the country enters the third year of the war.

Expulsion of migrants is a priority

Trump also once again raised the hot-button issue of immigration, another major contentious issue on the campaign trail. Under his pressure, elected Republicans appear determined to block any immigration reform until after the election. The former president, who built his popularity by promising to build a wall between the United States and Mexico, has pledged that expelling migrants would be one of his priorities if he returns to the White House. “On day one, I will end the Biden Administration’s entire open border policy and we will begin the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history. We have no choice,” he said.

During the meeting, Trump also criticized Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and rival for the Republican nomination, mocking her husband’s absence from her side during the campaign. -Where is her husband? Oh, he’s gone, he’s gone. What happened to her husband? ” he said using voice effects. The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, nearly behind in the race for the nomination, reacted sharply to X (ex-Twitter) about her husband, Michael Haley, serving a year of military service in Djibouti. “He is in the service of our country, about which you know nothing. Anyone who consistently disrespects the sacrifices of military families has no right to be commander in chief. »

Said husband also sent the billionaire a message on X, accompanied by a photo of a wolf and a little harsh comment. “The difference between humans and animals? Animals would not allow the stupidest of them to lead the pack. »