Senate Republicans are not shying away from Donald Trump’s controversial claim that Russia could invade NATO countries that don’t “pay up.”
Trump caused chaos after suggesting at a campaign event on Saturday that Russia “could do whatever they want” to NATO members that don’t pay their annual dues – which amount to two percent of GDP per country.
Of the 31 countries in NATO, only 11 met the required two percent of GDP financing requirement by 2023.
The former president lamented the fact that the United States spends billions of dollars more annually on defense compared to its NATO allies.
In 2023, the US spent $860 billion on defense spending, contributing 3.49 percent of its GDP to military initiatives, well above the two percent threshold set by NATO.
The White House called Trump’s words “horrendous and unhinged” and argued that they “promoted dangerous chaos.” Other critics said his rhetoric was “music to Putin’s ears.”
But allies of the former president praised his threats and said they should be taken seriously.
Senator JD Vance told DailyMail.com he hopes NATO members take Trump’s threat for granted as many European allies fail to meet their funding responsibilities
One Republican Party hardliner even said that the US’s European allies should view Trump’s inflammatory comments as a “real threat.”
“I hope they consider it a real threat,” Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, told DailyMail.com. “NATO is currently little more than an welfare client of the United States of America.”
“If it wants to become a real alliance, the major countries within the bloc, especially Germany, must go a step further,” he continued.
Republican Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri similarly told DailyMail.com: “I think there is frustration among Americans that our European allies just haven’t stepped up. Most of them are not yet at two percent of their gross domestic product.’
“We have essentially subsidized their government’s liberal social welfare programs for a long time,” Schmitt continued. “I think it’s time for a European ally to act.”
Other Republicans, meanwhile, were more supportive of the alliance, with another quick to call Trump’s comments satire.
“It’s all sarcasm,” said Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., before adding that Americans are largely in favor of telling NATO members to pay their share.
“The Senate, Congress and the country are very supportive of NATO, and they have shown themselves to be a very strong force,” said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.
“I hope President Trump will agree,” she continued.
Democrats were quick to condemn the former president, warning that his “outrageous” comments could embolden US opponents.
Democrats, however, couldn’t believe the former president would make such a flippant comment.
“For Donald Trump to suggest under any circumstances that the United States would support a Russian invasion of Europe is incredibly dangerous, and shows once again how this man is unfit to be President of the United States,” Senator said. Elizabeth Warren to DailyMail. com.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., also said the comments should disqualify Trump from office.
“Donald Trump is not really qualified to be president if he doesn’t understand the importance of NATO,” Blumenthal told DailyMail.com.
Trump’s NATO comments are “outrageous, but unfortunately not surprising,” said Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.
“Rooting for Russia,” Warnock continued, “it’s incredibly shocking.”
Despite Democrats’ distaste for the former president’s comments, the crowd Trump addressed seemed to appreciate his suggestion.
Former US President and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump attends a ‘Get Out the Vote’ rally in Conway, South Carolina on February 10, 2024
US Army Abrams tanks fire during military exercises in Latvia
Jens Stoltenberg has been Secretary General of NATO since 2014
“The president of a great country stood up and said, ‘If we don’t pay and we are attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’ Trump told the crowd in South Carolina on Saturday.
“I said you haven’t paid, are you overdue? He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’
‘No, I wouldn’t protect you, in fact I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever they want, you have to pay! You have to pay your bills,” Trump said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg responded to Trump’s comments in a statement released on Sunday.
“Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all our security, including that of the United States, and puts American and European soldiers in greater danger,” Stoltenberg said.
“NATO remains ready and able to defend all allies. Any attack on NATO will be met with a united and strong response.
“I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the US will remain a strong and committed NATO ally.”