I'm watching Trump at NATO, as the nations leaders line up and he tells them to their faces that every nation needs to pay their 2% and their past obligations. Calls out the "thousands and thousands" of immigrants "pouring in" and calls out the challenge to take on terror and yes, even Russian threats.
Then, as a twist to the gut after the punch, he says "I'm never ever going to ask how much the new NATO building costs" and "it's beautiful". Clearly suggesting that they spend a great deal on the building but where are the 2% commitments?!?!
You could see the NATO leaders with a slight smile at times, some crossing their arms, clearly uncomfortable at times as Trump spoke the truth. Only 5 of the 28 have made their obligations, as he said "it's not fair to the U.S taxpayer".
This was vintage Trump. A stern lecture. Not from America, but to their faces. Bravo.
Really--this is what you believe their impression of Trump is? "Respect"--you're joking right;
I think they're looking at him with this in mind.
He was giving a speech to socialist leaders, many who are more on message and refined than any politician you would see in America. They have thousands of potential terror threats in nations which are much smaller than America, and far less of a global presence.
Yes he lectured them. Yes, he didn't make any new friends or get their loyalties. He wants allies, but not those who think that a larger National Security Threat exists with global warming than terrorists hell bent on killing their most vulnerable citizens.
It doesn't take a leader to just follow the others, he is expressing what his voters want. America is tired of being taken advantage of, and you can be sure, they are. As Wilbur Ross stated, it's not fair for America to be the global trade deficit king for the sake of the rest of the world prospering.