A new low

What a choice! Trump or Biden (if he stands). Two old men, one dangerous, albeit well supported, the other clearly demonstrating the onset of old age. Both vying to lead the most powerful nation on earth. And I thought our choice of leadership candidates was poor! I despair.

He's a lunatic and I hope he is not elected because he does do what he threatens.

Quite interesting that Trump should make this sort of statement more or less when Putin had agreed to be interviewed on US television by Tucker Carlson.

Trump is a deranged narcissistic psychopath. So is Putin. Only Putin is much cleverer and is manipulating the orange muppet. That the American population cannot see this is beyond alarming. So I may as well eat that bar of chocolate for who knows what tomorrow holds.

At the end of the cold war Russia and US gradually reduced the armaments facing each other in Europe to the extent that war was not a realistic possibility. But then Ukraine started to want more western freedoms and strategically important Crimea was annexed. Then further moves towards the West caused Russia to feel insecure and Ukraine was invaded, it was a half hearted campaign, neither side had the weaponry to fight a war with any determination.

That has now changed Russian has much more capability and NATO is still rationing arms supply to Ukraine, furthermore, sanctions on Russia has proved totally ineffective. They are receiving help from many other countries that need their oil and others that need their armaments.

If only Ukraine had stayed neutral it could all have been different, focus is on Gaza currently that will change soon enough when full scale fighting in Ukraine starts again.

Namsnanny

Do insurance companies pay out if your bill isnt paid? Do the RAC/AA turn up on a dark winter's night when you arnt a paid up member?
A bit simplistic but much the same.

BTW, I'm being lazy here, but does anyone (op maybe?) have clear proof of Trumps and Russia collusion?
I've lost touch with it all.

www.chathamhouse.org/2024/02/putins-carlson-interview-shows-links-between-trump-talk-and-russian-messaging

Do insurance companies pay out if your bill isnt paid? Do the RAC/AA turn up on a dark winter's night when you arnt a paid up member?
A bit simplistic but much the same.

BTW, I'm being lazy here, but does anyone (op maybe?) have clear proof of Trumps and Russia collusion?
I've lost touch with it all.

Germany heard Trumps comment about not spending enough on defence, they announced an increase in munitions manufacture because stocks have run short.

Neither of the potential candidates is good for USA or the world. One wonders how the leading Western Democracy could not find better politicians than Biden or Trump to be President. Unfortunately, Kamala Harris has been unimpressive in her role as Vice President if you read about US politics.
I just cannot understand why Jill Biden does not persuade President Biden to stand down. I feel so sorry for him but he really is now too old to be President. Trump is no statesman but I do not blame Americans for thinking that the rest of the free world needs to pay their dues to NATO and to up their defence spending. My American friends in the Dog Rescue world do not have it easy. Medical,and dental care is very expensive and many middle class Americans are like UK families just getting by and hoping things will improve. They deserve better leadership.

Callistemon21

catladyuk

if taylor swift comes out as a trump supporter then all is lost

I can't understand why American Superbowl and Taylor Swift have to be on our national news all the time!!
Are most people here at all interested for it to be on UK national news?

I can't understand why American Superbowl and Taylor Swift have to be on our national news all the time!!
Are most people here at all interested for it to be on UK national news?

Quite!

I think the Donald's threat over nonpayment is unhinged. Of course none/underpayment has been an issue for years but his cack-handed comment puts us all at greater risk. I hope Taylor Swift does endorse Biden.

catladyuk

if taylor swift comes out as a trump supporter then all is lost

I can't understand why American Superbowl and Taylor Swift have to be on our national news all the time!!
Are most people here at all interested for it to be on UK national news?

Nightsky2

HousePlantQueen

With respect (not really) I disagree with those on here who believe that Trump is a good business man. He isn't.

Well he’s certainly very good at conning people and made a heck of a lot of money along the way.

Maybe he’s actually got something right for a change and it would be great if countries like Germany sit up and take notice. They must pay their dues.

Maybe he’s actually got something right for a change and it would be great if countries like Germany sit up and take notice. They must pay their dues.

Countries certainly need to step up to the mark - but to suggest that he'd encourage Putin to "do what the hell he liked" to any country that didn't pay up is stupid and dangerous. I'm sure Putin will be delighted that the prospective most powerful man in the world would be on his side if he decided to start attacking Europe.

He should've stayed in the murky world of big business, he doesn't have the intellect, intelligence nor diplomacy for political leadership. He's a man-child - has tantrums if anyone tries to hold him to account; mocked a disabled journalist publicly, and jeered and sneered at the late John McCain who fought for his country and was captured as a POW.-he doesn't like people who get captured apparently... this from a man who has never served his country. He is totally unfit for the office of POTUS.

HousePlantQueen

With respect (not really) I disagree with those on here who believe that Trump is a good business man. He isn't.

Well he’s certainly very good at conning people and made a heck of a lot of money along the way.

Maybe he’s actually got something right for a change and it would be great if countries like Germany sit up and take notice. They must pay their dues.

Germanshepherdsmum

Unfortunately we can’t stop them unless we are entitled to vote in the US. He is unhinged and I hope he can be prevented from being re-elected.

100% GSM

But if they couldn’t be nudged into complying (Obama tried too remember) then stronger words needed to be issued.

He has a point although the way in which it was delivered could have been better, then again do we expect anything better from Trump? .

All members of NATO should be fulfilling their financial obligations if they expect to benefit from it.

It’s hyperbole. Last time he tried to nudge the defaulters of the % of GDP that was due. Now? He’s just upped the rhetoric. Hopefully certain countries (Spain, Germany etc) are finally sitting up and taking notice. Dare they risk not paying up? Hmm.

Farzanah

Does he really mean it or does he just tries to be controversial, and play to his supporters I wonder?

Or playing up to the msm, because that is what is expected from him? Either way he's playing a dangerous game.

Bungle22

GrannyGravy13

You beat me to it Urmstongran all NATO members have to pay a proportion of their GDP into NATO coffers (I think it’s 2%)

France, Germany and some others do not meet their dues whereas Poland commits 4% of its GDP into NATO.

It’s far better to look at the whole picture than publicity seeking sound bites.

I’ve just checked the figures, I hadn’t realised how few European Countries are meeting their NATO financial obligations. That’s poor.

Yes, it’s poor.Trump being President again is scary but he’s right on this point.

Katie59

Trump is saying what his supporters want to hear, l did listen to actual speech and thought what he said was ambiguous, in the same way his speech before the attack on the Capitol was ambiguous, he should really think before he ad-libs like this.

It certainly rattled NATO which was the intention because even a little conflict like Ukraine cannot be handled without US assistance. The fact that many nations do not contribute enough to defence has long been an issue with both parties in the US

I agree.
I think it was meant as a frightener for countries who don’t pay nearly enough towards NATO.
It really is high time they paid up.

If fraud, lying, cheating and failing to pay your taxes together with 5-6 of your businesses filing for bankruptcy make you a good businessman - then Trump is excellent.😄

With respect (not really) I disagree with those on here who believe that Trump is a good business man. He isn't.

We got talking a few years ago now to some young Americans in Jamaica. They really had no idea an out the world outside of the US.

The thought that we had a monarchy but was a democracy

lixy

Yes, as a business man he has a good point about members paying their way. However the rhetoric about inviting Russia to invade was crass to say the least.

(Now I'm worried - I've agreed with both Trump and Michael Gove in the space of a couple of days; must be something in the water!)

🤣 no I would say you are applying independent critical thought to the subject.
Which was asked for up thread.
Much better than name calling rhetoric. Well done.