'Bunch of freeloaders': Wesley Clark sparks debate by saying NATO members are 'very concerned' about US stability due to Donald Trump
WASHINGTON, DC: As the 75th NATO Summit approaches, member nations are increasingly anxious about the political climate in the United States and its implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as reported by The Hill.
Retired General Wesley Clark recently highlighted these concerns during an appearance on Newsnation's 'The Hill,' where he shed light on European leaders' apprehensions about former President Donald Trump’s potential return to power and his approach to the Ukraine crisis.
Wesley Clark reveals NATO members are increasingly anxious about political climate in the US
General Wesley Clark, who previously served as NATO's supreme allied commander, conveyed that European countries find Trump's potential handling of the Ukraine war both "dangerous" and "concerning."
He noted that the United States, once seen as a bastion of stability, experienced a significant shift during Trump's presidency.
"They don’t trust him. They don’t understand why he’s saying this. They think it might have something to do with his relationship with Vladimir Putin. They’re concerned, really worried, because, for us, NATO is an ocean away. For them, Russia is next door," Clark revealed.
Amidst these concerns, NATO members have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that the alliance's baseline support efforts, including a $43 billion yearly expenditure on weaponry and aid, will continue.
"Ukraine is not going to get an invitation to join NATO at this point, but Ukraine is gonna get a pledge of continued support with ammunition and so forth. … So it’s still a very positive outcome for Ukraine, I think," Clark emphasized.
The growing dissent within the Democratic Party, particularly regarding President Joe Biden’s health, has also cast a shadow over NATO’s unified front.
When questioned about Biden's mental acuity, Stoltenberg deflected, saying, "What I can do and NATO can do is that we can focus on the substance of NATO. And that’s exactly what we’ll do."
Clark interpreted Stoltenberg’s response as a strategic avoidance of US internal politics. "He doesn’t want to get into the internal politics of the United States at this point. He’s just, he’s saying he’s got confidence in the United States, we’re gonna make important decisions," Clark stated.
The anxiety over Trump and Vladimir Putin’s relationship is not without precedent. Trump’s tenure was marked by a notably closer rapport with the Russian President compared to his predecessors.
Wesley Clark's revelation about NATO members fearing US instability sparks debate online
Social media erupted with divided reactions to Clark's revelation about NATO members fearing US instability under Trump.
One user on Facebook remarked, "All because of an orange-sprayed dictator wannabe who kowtows to autocrats," while another stated, "As they should be - we have a geriatric president who says he runs the world."
One user wrote, "Everyone needs to be worried should trump win. It will be an unimaginable hell for all." Another commented, "With Trump looming like a shark, they have cause for concern." [sic]
Other users expressed skepticism about NATO’s effectiveness and intentions. One user criticized, "NATO is a joke. Nobody likes the 'do nothing' NATO. It’s just a bunch of elites who try to enrich themselves."
Another added, "They're concerned they'll have to pay more when Trump wins. They're a bunch of freeloaders."
A user stated, "Maybe Europe should take care of Europe. They are all very rich countries." Lastly, another user said, "As usual, they are very concerned about how much in American taxpayer dollars they can get their hands on."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
