Former President Donald Trump, who is on a glide path to the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, explained during a South Carolina town hall event earlier this week why he threatened not to defend European members of NATO.
During an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Trump noted that if he wouldn’t have made the threat, then NATO countries would never “pay up” on their required obligation of spending 2 percent of GDP on their militaries.
“So, does this mean you’re not going to defend NATO countries if they haven’t paid their 2-point-whatever percent?” Ingraham asked after playing a clip of his 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton, complaining about his statement, as well as President Joe Biden.
“Yeah, sort of, it does. We have — we have 28 countries. We have 28 countries. And they were taking advantage tremendously,” Trump said to applause.
“You know, look, the European nations, I happen to be — a long time ago, my parents, my grandparents came from a place called Europe. So, I love it. But they are very smart and they took advantage. They’ve taken advantage of us on trade and they’ve taken advantage of us on NATO,” he continued.
“And what happened, what I did is I told them if you don’t pay up, I’m not going to defend you. And they said I can’t believe it. Nobody else ever said that. Bush came in, he made a speech and he left. Obama came in, he made a speech. We were supporting almost 100 percent,” Trump added.
“In my opinion, we were paying for Europe’s military, almost 100 percent. Not 40 percent or 20 percent. They weren’t paid up. And the question was asked by the head of the country, very strong question and a big meeting, one like 28 countries, sir, does that mean that if we don’t pay, you will not defend us from Russia or whoever?” he told Ingraham.
“I said, you say you didn’t pay? You were delinquent? He said yes. Let’s say we were. I would not defend you,” said the former president, adding: “Now, if I said I would defend them, they wouldn’t have paid. As soon as I said, that’s right, that’s exactly what it means. The money came pouring in, billions of dollars.”
WATCH:
Trump: 'If I didn't threaten not to defend NATO, they would never have paid up.'
100 percent true. pic.twitter.com/nAxSvETBcv
— USA Features Media (@UsaFeatures) February 22, 2024
