White House says Trump comments on refusing to back NATO allies ‘unhinged’

The White House says comments made by former US President Donald Trump about not protecting NATO allies from a potential invasion by Russia were “appalling and unhinged.”

Trump, appearing to recount a meeting with NATO leaders, told a political rally in South Carolina on Saturday, “One of the presidents of a big country stood up, 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?’ He said: ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No I would not protect you, in fact I would encourage them to do whatever they want. You gotta pay.”

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, asked about Trump’s comments, says, “Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged – and it endangers American national security, global stability and our economy at home.”

Trump told the story in the context of his role in helping torpedo congressional legislation that would have sent military aid to Ukraine and Israel.