Biden Rebukes Trump’s NATO Criticism: Labels Remarks ‘Shameful’ and ‘Dumb’
President Joe Biden has delivered a scathing rebuke to Donald Trump’s criticism of NATO, denouncing the remarks as “shameful,” “dumb,” and “un-American.”
The likely 2024 election opponents clashed over Trump’s statement that he would “encourage” Russia to attack NATO members failing to meet defense spending quotas.
The verbal exchange intensifies as the Senate successfully passes a $95 billion foreign aid package, allocating $60 billion for Ukraine.
Biden emphasizes the urgency of the aid, warning against playing into Putin’s hands. However, the bill faces political challenges in the House.
During a White House address, Biden expresses concern over the “dangerous” remarks made by Trump, stating that “no other president in history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator.”
He calls the comments not only dumb and shameful but also dangerous and un-American.
At a rally in South Carolina, Trump criticized NATO members for “delinquent” payments and suggested that the US should not defend countries failing to meet financial obligations.
Biden accuses Trump of treating the military alliance as a protection racket.
Biden asserts a strong stance, pledging that, as long as he is president, the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory if Putin attacks a NATO ally.
He highlights the significance of collective defense, pointing out that NATO has invoked Article 5 only once – after the 9/11 attacks.
The clash between Biden and Trump underscores a major divide on US-NATO relations, with Biden positioning the US as a key participant in a global conflict between democratic nations and autocracies.
In contrast, Trump, during his presidency, often downplayed multilateral alliances, emphasizing direct relations with nations.
As the foreign aid package, including substantial funds for Ukraine, faces political headwinds in the House, Biden challenges House Republicans, asking whether they will stand with Ukraine, America, or Trump.
The upcoming election could see this clash become a defining issue, shaping the narrative on US engagement with global alliances.
