Biden blasts Trump for his 'shocking' and 'un-American' NATO comments

President Joe Biden on Tuesday blasted former President Donald Trump’s comments that he would “encourage” Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” to NATO-aligned countries that are “delinquent” — calling them “shocking” and “un-American.”

“The former president has set a dangerous, and shockingly, frankly un-American signal to the world,” Biden said in remarks at the White House.

Trump made the comments over the weekend, saying he wouldn’t have the U.S. protect a NATO nation that didn’t contribute enough defense funds to the alliance. Trump’s remarks echo his long-standing criticism of the role the U.S. plays in providing security for other countries, including major allies.

MORE: Trump says he’d ‘encourage’ Russia ‘to do whatever the hell they want’ if a NATO country didn’t spend enough on defense

“You don’t pay your bills, you get no protection. It’s very simple,” Trump said at a campaign event in Conway, South Carolina. “Hundreds of billions of dollars came into NATO, and that’s why they have money.”

Biden said there is a “sacred commitment” among NATO countries.

biden blasts trump for his 'shocking' and 'un-american' nato comments

President Joe Biden speaks about the Senate passage of war aid for Ukraine in the State Dining Room of the White House, Feb. 13, 2024.

“When America gives its word, it means something. When we make a commitment, we keep it. And NATO’s a sacred commitment. Donald Trump looks at this as if it’s a burden,” Biden said.

MORE: Trump allies back his NATO comments, but some Republicans say they were a ‘mistake’

Biden said Trump gave “an invitation to Putin,” the Russian president who invaded Ukraine.

“The whole world heard it. The worst thing is, he means it,” Biden said.

“No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator. Let me say this as clearly as I can: I never will. For God’s sake, it’s dumb, it’s shameful, it’s dangerous.”

Trump doubled down on his message to NATO in a social media post Monday.

“YOU MUST PAY,” the former president wrote.

Trump claimed he had previously made NATO “strong” by telling them to “pay up” or risk losing American protection.

“When I told the 20 Countries that weren’t paying their fair share that they had to PAY UP, and said without doing that you will not have U.S. Military Protection, the money came rolling in,” Trump wrote.

Some of Trump’s closest allies have defended his NATO comments.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told ABC News on Monday that he’s “100% behind him” in his push to get NATO countries to pay more money toward their self-defense. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said allied nations that are concerned about Trump’s comments need to “get over it.”

Biden made the comments during a speech where he urged the House to “immediately” vote on the $95 billion foreign aid bill that the Senate passed Tuesday morning. House Speaker Mike Johnson strongly suggested he may not take the Senate bill on the floor for debate or a vote.

“I urge Speaker Johnson to bring it to the floor immediately, immediately,” Biden said. “There’s no question that if the Senate bill was put on the floor in the House of Representatives, it would pass. It would pass. And the speaker knows that.”

ABC News’ Allison Pecorin, Lalee Ibssa and Soorin Kim contributed to this report.

News Related

OTHER NEWS

Lawsuit seeks $16 million against Maryland county over death of pet dog shot by police

A department investigator accused two of the officers of “conduct unbecoming an officer” for entering the apartment without a warrant, but the third officer was cleared of wrongdoing, the suit says. Read more »

Heidi Klum shares rare photo of all 4 of her and Seal's kids

Heidi Klum posted a rare picture with husband Tom Kaulitz and her four kids: Leni, 19, Henry, 18, Johan, 17, and Lou, 14, having some quality family time. Read more »

European stocks head for flat open as markets struggle to find momentum

This is CNBC’s live blog covering European markets. European markets are heading for a flat open Tuesday, continuing lackluster sentiment seen at the start of the week in the region ... Read more »

Linda C. Black Horoscopes: November 28

Nancy Black Today’s Birthday (11/28/23). This year energizes your work and health. Faithful domestic routines provide central support. Shift directions to balance your work and health, before adapting around team ... Read more »

Michigan Democrats poised to test ambitious environmental goals in the industrial Midwest

FILE – One of more than 4,000 solar panels constructed by DTE Energy lines a 9.37-acre swath of land in Ann Arbor Township, Mich., Sept. 15, 2015. Michigan will join ... Read more »

Gaza Is Falling Into ‘Absolute Chaos,’ Aid Groups Say

A shaky cease-fire between Israel and Hamas has allowed a surge of aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza, but humanitarian groups and civilians in the enclave say the convoys aren’t ... Read more »

Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families to march together in anti-hate vigil

Demonstrators march against the rise of antisemitism in the UK on Sunday – SUSANNAH IRELAND/REUTERS Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families will march together as part of an anti-hate vigil on ... Read more »
Top List in the World