At a rally criticizing the failed immigration deal, Donald Trump criticized the foreign aid packages to Ukraine and Israel. Rather than simply giving them money going into the pockets of defense contractors, Trump supports giving them loans that can be repaid.
The Establishment in the Senate has pushed for a “clean” donation of funds to Israel and Ukraine. Ukraine aid in particular has been under heavy scrutiny due to the unclear end goal in the war. The Hill reports:
He continued, “I said, ‘Why do we do this? If you do, you give them, not $100 billion, you give it to ‘em as a loan.’”
On Friday, the Senate voted to push a $95.3 billion package with funding for Ukraine and Israel along further to passing. The package comes after the failure of a recent bipartisan deal that combined foreign aid and border security reforms.
Prior to the Cold War, America did support other countries by providing them loans, such as Britain and France during the two World Wars. Trump also reminded his supporters that Europeans, a richer continent than America, relies all too much on America’s military to defend it. Newsweek continues:
“I said everybody’s gonna pay. They said, ‘Well if we don’t pay are you still going to protect us?’ I said, ‘Absolutely not.’ They couldn’t believe the answer. You’ve never saw more money poor in,” the former president said at Saturday’s rally. “They asked me that question, 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 the hell they want.”
Each member country contributes to NATO’s common funds. The amount that a given member contributes is based on its Gross National Income.
Trump’s criticism of aid to Israel is touching a third rail of American politics. Up until now, Democrats and Republicans largely agreed that America should give Israel money for its defense. Now, a Democrat faction is openly antisemitic, while many Republican want to focus on America’s border rather than other countries’.
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