Trump threatens to pull defense assistance if NATO countries don't pay
Newsy
These comments have sparked a wave of backlash from lawmakers in the U.S. and abroad. But some Republicans have jumped to his defense.
Former President Donald Trump said safety comes at a price, and that no one is exempt, including NATO allies.
At a rally in Conway, South Carolina on Saturday, Trump told supporters that if he is reelected in November, the United States will not defend NATO allies from attacks if they are not contributing enough to defense spending.
"Most politicians have said to that 'yes, we will protect you under any circumstance.' Well, then they're never paying up. I said no, no, you have to understand. You don't pay your bills, you get no protection. It's very simple," Trump said.
He shared a story with the crowd about a question he had previously received from the leader of another country, whom he did not identify.
"They asked me that question. One of the presidents of a big country. He stood up, said, ‘well, sir, if we don't pay and we're attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’ 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. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills," Trump said.
