Rand Paul and Other GOP Senators Hit Trump for Suggesting He’d Back Russia Over NATO: ‘Stupid Thing to Say’

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Some prominent Republicans denounced former President Donald Trump’s recent comments about allowing NATO-member nations to flounder and even face Russia alone if they “don’t pay” their dues.

Trump told a crowd in Conway, S.C., on Saturday that he would “encourage” Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” to any NATO country that hadn’t honored their financial commitments:

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. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.” And the money came flowing in!

According to Politico, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) called the comment a “stupid thing to say.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-A) labeled Trump’s comments “uncalled for,” and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) claimed he doesn’t take the former president’s comments “literally.”

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC)  gave the former president a pass and blamed Trump’s team, saying “shame on his briefers.”

Politico quoted Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) as saying, “None of us want to see a war in Europe and I don’t think he does either. And, very clearly, we’re going to defend our NATO allies, and I’m quite certain the president does not want to see us in a war with Russia.”

The White House predictably called Trump’s remarks “appalling and unhinged,” while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated in a statement, “Any attack on NATO will be met with a united and forceful response.”

Read the Politico article here.