Military Space News
SUPERPOWERS
Biden blasts Trump's 'dumb' and 'dangerous' NATO threats
Biden blasts Trump's 'dumb' and 'dangerous' NATO threats
By Danny KEMP
Washington (AFP) Feb 13, 2024

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday condemned "dumb" and "shameful" comments by Donald Trump on NATO, in one of the incumbent's most blistering attacks yet on his likely Republican rival in November's election.

The 81-year-old Democrat accused his predecessor of bowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin, after Trump said he would encourage Moscow to attack NATO members who failed to meet financial commitments.

"For God's sake, it's dumb, it's shameful, it's dangerous, it's un-American," Biden said in a televised address from the White House to urge the House of Representatives to pass vital war aid for Ukraine.

"Can you imagine a former president of the United States saying that? The whole world heard it. And the worst thing is he means it," he added.

"No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator. Well, let me say this as clearly as I can: I never will."

Washington's allies reacted with alarm after Trump made his most extreme broadside yet against the US-led military alliance -- even by his standards of long-term NATO-bashing.

Biden used Trump's comments to fuel his election attack line against Trump -- who was impeached twice as president and now faces a series of criminal trials -- as a threat to democracy.

In his remarks from the state dining room at the White House, he accused the real estate tycoon of acting like an organized crime boss when it came to the alliance.

"When he looks at NATO, he doesn't see the alliance that protects America and the world. He sees a protection racket," Biden said.

Biden added that if Trump's allies in the House fail to follow the lead of the Senate and pass a bill with billions of dollars in military assistance for Ukraine, then they will be playing into Putin's hands.

Trump made the comments at a campaign rally in South Carolina on Saturday, describing what he said was a conversation with a fellow head of state at an unspecified NATO meeting.

"One of the presidents of a big country stood up and 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? No, I would not protect you,'" Trump told his supporters.

"In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want."

A defiant Trump later defended his comments, saying he had made NATO "strong" by making allies meet defense spending targets when he was in office from 2017-2021.

Trump has a long history of praising the Kremlin leader, for example calling him a "genius" and more credible than US intelligence.

He has also said that as president, he could settle the Ukraine war within 24 hours.

Related Links
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SUPERPOWERS
Deja vu or real fear? NATO grapples with Trump threats
Brussels (AFP) Feb 12, 2024
Donald Trump sparked outcry by threatening not to defend NATO members who do not spend enough, but for diplomats at the alliance that weathered his time in office there was a sense of deja vu. At a campaign rally in the US state of South Carolina the volatile former reality TV star said he told the leader of a "big" European power he wouldn't step in if Russia attacked an ally not meeting its financial obligations. "No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the ... read more

SUPERPOWERS
SpaceX launches batch of satellites for Space Systems Command

Aerojet Rocketdyne Powers Key U.S. Missile Defense Test with Advanced MRBM Target

THAAD Localization Efforts Align with Saudi Vision 2030 Objectives

Northrop Grumman Advances Homeland Defense with Early NGI Milestone

SUPERPOWERS
Iran fires first ship-based long-range ballistic missiles

Russia fires 26 missiles at Ukraine, at least one dead

North Korea fires several cruise missiles off east coast

Houthi missile strikes Iran-bound cargo ship in Red Sea but crew escape injury

SUPERPOWERS
Xwing's autonomous aircraft aprpoved for cargo missions in California

US vows decisive response to deadly drone attack in Jordan

LIDS: The Army's Answer to Evolving Unmanned Aircraft Threats

DARPA's REMA Program Revolutionizes Commercial Drone Autonomy for Military Use

SUPERPOWERS
Viasat Installs Advanced SATCOM System on First U.S. Navy MSC Ship

Space Force initiates MUOS Service Life Extension with Lockheed Martin design contract

Government Connectivity Enters New Era: MetTel and Partners Highlight LEO Satellite Solutions

General Atomics to Showcase Optical Communication Terminals in Space with SDA Contract

SUPERPOWERS
Northrop Grumman to Revolutionize Space Missions with Next-Gen Cryocoolers

The US 'can and will' deliver more Ukraine aid: top advisor

Ukraine urges EU to speed up artillery shell supplies

Curtiss-Wright Unveils New Rugged SFF Mission Computer for Harsh Environments

SUPERPOWERS
Stoltenberg says 18 of 31 NATO members set to meet 2% GDP spending goal

Senate passes $95B emergency defense bill with Ukraine, Israel aid

Europe's becoming Ukraine's arsenal as Scholz urges 'mass production' of arms

Around 20 NATO countries set to hit spending target in 2024

SUPERPOWERS
Europe needs 'second life insurance' in addition to NATO: France

US defense chief released from hospital

Biden blasts Trump's 'dumb' and 'dangerous' NATO threats

Sweden hopes for Hungarian go ahead to join NATO

SUPERPOWERS
Researchers unveil novel technique for creating atomically thin nanoscrolls

MIT.nano equipment to accelerate innovation in "tough tech" sectors

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.