In an interview with Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, US presidential candidate Trump partially revised earlier statements. He is once again causing a stir with his allegations against Jewish supporters of the Democratic Party.
Former US President Donald Trump has made it clear that if he returns to the White House, the US would not leave NATO as long as Europe makes its contribution to the military alliance. The Republican was asked about his stance on the defense alliance by moderator and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage in an interview broadcast on Tuesday with the right-wing British broadcaster GB News.
Farage wanted to know whether America would stay in the alliance if the other member states “played fairly.” Trump replied: “Yes. 100 percent.” However, European countries should not take advantage of American support, said Trump. “The United States should pay its fair share, not everyone else’s.” One should not forget that NATO is more important for Europe than for the USA, because there is an ocean, “a beautiful, big, wonderful ocean” between them USA and “some problems” in Europe.
Europe doubts the US’s support
Trump is a proven critic of NATO. During his term in office from 2017 to 2021, Trump repeatedly openly threatened to withdraw the USA from the alliance. He sharply criticized his members for not meeting the defense spending target. Like no one before, he raised doubts about whether the transatlantic defense alliance founded in 1949 had a future. For example, he repeatedly questioned whether the USA would fulfill its obligation to provide military assistance in an emergency.
It was only in February that the Republican presidential candidate caused a stir with a statement about NATO at a campaign event. He said he would not provide protection from Russia to partners who defaulted on their financial obligations. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg responded clearly: “Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines our entire security, including that of the United States, and increases the risk to American and European soldiers.”
Trump rails against Jewish Democrats
Trump caused outrage with allegations against Jewish supporters of the US Democrats. He claimed that Jewish Democratic voters “should hate and be ashamed of their religion and everything about Israel.” The Democratic Party would also “hate” Israel, Trump continued in an interview. The Democratic Party and Jewish associations close to the party condemned the statements. The White House commented: “There is no justification for spreading toxic and false stereotypes that threaten other citizens.”
The background to Trump’s one-sided and ultimately false claims is likely to be criticism of Israel by high-ranking Democratic representatives. For example, Democrat Chuck Schumer, who himself has Jewish roots, recently criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Schumer had described Netanyahu as an “obstacle” to peace in the Middle East. Netanyahu called the criticism inappropriate.
(DPA/APA/Reuters/ed.)
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