“Idiot,” “undeserving” and “anti-American”: Joe Biden condemned Donald Trump’s withdrawal from NATO

The verbal duel continues. Joe Biden on Tuesday strongly condemned his Republican rival Donald Trump’s recent “idiotic” and disgraceful comments about NATO. On Saturday, the latter confirmed that it would “encourage” Russia to attack countries in the defense alliance if they do not pay their share. “It’s stupid, it’s undignified, it’s dangerous, it’s un-American,” the American president said during a speech at the White House.

“The worst thing is that he thinks like that. Never before in our history has a president kowtowed to a Russian dictator, he continued. When America gives its word, it means something. When we make commitments, we stick to them, and NATO is a sacred commitment. Donald Trump sees it as a burden. He believes that (NATO) is a racketeering system. He does not understand that NATO is founded on the fundamental principles of freedom, security and sovereignty. »

“Sacred Commitment”

“For Trump, principles don’t matter, everything is available. He doesn’t understand that this sacred commitment works for us, too,” said the 81-year-old Democrat, who, barring any major surprises, will face the 77-year-old Republican tycoon in the November presidential election. “Our opponents have long sought to create a split in the alliance. The best hope of all those who wish America ill is that NATO will fall apart. You can be sure they applauded when they heard Donald Trump,” assured Joe Biden, who, on the contrary, is proud of having given the organization new impetus.

The former president’s comments caused widespread outrage in Europe. Donald Trump regularly criticizes North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies for failing to meet their military spending commitments. About 20 NATO countries will hit a target of 2% of their GDP for military spending this year, we learned Tuesday from a source close to the alliance, days after Republican criticism of states not paying their share. in Europe.