
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures while speaking to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during their bilateral breakfast, Wednesday, July 11, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures while speaking to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during their bilateral breakfast, Wednesday, July 11, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
After U.S. President Donald Trump wasted no time making a complete fool of himself on the world stage at the NATO summit on Wednesday by accusing Germany of being "totally controlled by Russia," German Chancellor Angela Merkel quickly hit back at the American president by informing him that she "experienced the Soviet occupation of one part of Germany" herself and concluding "it is good that we are independent today."
"I am very happy that today we are united in freedom, the Federal Republic of Germany," Merkel said after she arrived at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday. "Because of that we can say that we can make our independent policies and make independent decisions. That is very good, especially for people in eastern Germany."
Trump--whose presidential campaign is currently under investigation for possible collusion with the Russian government--launched his attack on Germany and other U.S. allies during breakfast with members of his cabinet, NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, and other alliance officials.
"Germany is a captive of Russia," Trump declared, kicking off two days of NATO meetings that come ahead of his scheduled meeting in Finland with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I think it's something that NATO has to look at."
Watch:
\u201cTRUMP: \u201cGermany is totally controlled by Russia \u2026 They will be getting between 60 and 70 percent of their energy from Russia and a new pipeline, and you tell me if that is appropriate because I think it's not."\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1531309921
In addition to accusing Germany of being "captive" to Russia, Trump also repeated falsehoods about America's contributions to NATO's budget and slammed America's allies for not devoting a large enough swath of their economies to military spending.
Debunking Trump's claim ahead of Wednesday's meeting that the U.S. is "paying for 90 percent of NATO," D'Angelo Gore of FactCheck.org noted, "In reality, the U.S. share of the commonly funded NATO budget is currently just over 22 percent, according to the most recent figures from NATO."
Refusing to allow reality to interfere with his preferred narrative, Trump insisted Wednesday morning that "many countries are not paying what they should, and, frankly, many countries owe us a tremendous amount of money from many years back."
"They're delinquent, as far as I'm concerned, because the United States has had to pay for them," Trump added.
Watch:
\u201c.@POTUS: "Many countries are not paying what they should and frankly many countries owe us a tremendous amount of money."\u201d— FOX Business (@FOX Business) 1531314123
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
After U.S. President Donald Trump wasted no time making a complete fool of himself on the world stage at the NATO summit on Wednesday by accusing Germany of being "totally controlled by Russia," German Chancellor Angela Merkel quickly hit back at the American president by informing him that she "experienced the Soviet occupation of one part of Germany" herself and concluding "it is good that we are independent today."
"I am very happy that today we are united in freedom, the Federal Republic of Germany," Merkel said after she arrived at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday. "Because of that we can say that we can make our independent policies and make independent decisions. That is very good, especially for people in eastern Germany."
Trump--whose presidential campaign is currently under investigation for possible collusion with the Russian government--launched his attack on Germany and other U.S. allies during breakfast with members of his cabinet, NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, and other alliance officials.
"Germany is a captive of Russia," Trump declared, kicking off two days of NATO meetings that come ahead of his scheduled meeting in Finland with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I think it's something that NATO has to look at."
Watch:
\u201cTRUMP: \u201cGermany is totally controlled by Russia \u2026 They will be getting between 60 and 70 percent of their energy from Russia and a new pipeline, and you tell me if that is appropriate because I think it's not."\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1531309921
In addition to accusing Germany of being "captive" to Russia, Trump also repeated falsehoods about America's contributions to NATO's budget and slammed America's allies for not devoting a large enough swath of their economies to military spending.
Debunking Trump's claim ahead of Wednesday's meeting that the U.S. is "paying for 90 percent of NATO," D'Angelo Gore of FactCheck.org noted, "In reality, the U.S. share of the commonly funded NATO budget is currently just over 22 percent, according to the most recent figures from NATO."
Refusing to allow reality to interfere with his preferred narrative, Trump insisted Wednesday morning that "many countries are not paying what they should, and, frankly, many countries owe us a tremendous amount of money from many years back."
"They're delinquent, as far as I'm concerned, because the United States has had to pay for them," Trump added.
Watch:
\u201c.@POTUS: "Many countries are not paying what they should and frankly many countries owe us a tremendous amount of money."\u201d— FOX Business (@FOX Business) 1531314123
After U.S. President Donald Trump wasted no time making a complete fool of himself on the world stage at the NATO summit on Wednesday by accusing Germany of being "totally controlled by Russia," German Chancellor Angela Merkel quickly hit back at the American president by informing him that she "experienced the Soviet occupation of one part of Germany" herself and concluding "it is good that we are independent today."
"I am very happy that today we are united in freedom, the Federal Republic of Germany," Merkel said after she arrived at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday. "Because of that we can say that we can make our independent policies and make independent decisions. That is very good, especially for people in eastern Germany."
Trump--whose presidential campaign is currently under investigation for possible collusion with the Russian government--launched his attack on Germany and other U.S. allies during breakfast with members of his cabinet, NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, and other alliance officials.
"Germany is a captive of Russia," Trump declared, kicking off two days of NATO meetings that come ahead of his scheduled meeting in Finland with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I think it's something that NATO has to look at."
Watch:
\u201cTRUMP: \u201cGermany is totally controlled by Russia \u2026 They will be getting between 60 and 70 percent of their energy from Russia and a new pipeline, and you tell me if that is appropriate because I think it's not."\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1531309921
In addition to accusing Germany of being "captive" to Russia, Trump also repeated falsehoods about America's contributions to NATO's budget and slammed America's allies for not devoting a large enough swath of their economies to military spending.
Debunking Trump's claim ahead of Wednesday's meeting that the U.S. is "paying for 90 percent of NATO," D'Angelo Gore of FactCheck.org noted, "In reality, the U.S. share of the commonly funded NATO budget is currently just over 22 percent, according to the most recent figures from NATO."
Refusing to allow reality to interfere with his preferred narrative, Trump insisted Wednesday morning that "many countries are not paying what they should, and, frankly, many countries owe us a tremendous amount of money from many years back."
"They're delinquent, as far as I'm concerned, because the United States has had to pay for them," Trump added.
Watch:
\u201c.@POTUS: "Many countries are not paying what they should and frankly many countries owe us a tremendous amount of money."\u201d— FOX Business (@FOX Business) 1531314123