While speaking to CBS News, Nikki Haley accused the former president of cozying up to Russia's President Vladimir Putin, saying Trump was "embracing a thug who kills his opponents."
Republican presidential hopeful and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks after results came in for the New Hampshire primaries during a watch party in Concord, New Hampshire, on January 23, 2024.
"Do we want NATO to pay more? Of course we do. But the last thing we're going to do is side with a thug. Keep in mind, Putin kills his opponents," Haley said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "It is a mistake for Trump to side with Putin over our allies."
Donald Trump made another statement that had the country up in arms after his disparaging comments about NATO, which were made over the weekend. In those comments, he stated that he would allow Russia to "do whatever the hell they want" to NATO member nations that do not contribute enough monetarily to the alliance during a rally in South Carolina.
Trump also said that when an unnamed NATO leader asked would the US protect them if they were not spending enough on military defense, Trump responded with the now-infamous comment.
What Does NATO Have To Say?
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says Trump's comments undermine the security of all NATO member nations, including that of the United States. Meanwhile, a White House spokesperson called the comments "appalling and unhinged."
Several Republicans have criticized Trump's comments, which seem to be tantamount to appeasing Russia. GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley ceased upon the comments for her own purposes.
Former Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie told an NBC News show Trump is "Unfit to be president of the United States."
Even staunch allies of Donald J Trump have not come out in defense of him. Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul called his comments a "stupid thing to say" while Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said the comments were "uncalled for."
However, other members of the GOP downplayed Trump's comments. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said "I mean, it's Trump... All I can say is while Trump was president nobody invaded anybody."
Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican of Florida, similarly told CNN that he had "zero concern" about Trump's comments. The House is returning to session tomorrow as the Senate continues hammering out its foreign aid package, which means more Republicans will be asked their opinion on Trump's comments.
