The pressure put on NATO by former President Trump "worked" and produced an increase of $100 billion in defense spending from member states, former ambassador to Germany and acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell told Newsmax on Monday.
"Donald Trump is a champion for the American taxpayer," Grenell told "Rob Schmitt Tonight," adding that the elite media "don't get it."
"The American people are tired of having the largest economy in Europe, the Germans, have a budget surplus every year and fail to meet their obligations," Grenell said.
Grenell continued that in 2014 NATO members came together and decided to increase their contributions by 2% over ten years, but Germany still isn't doing that, even in 2024.
"They wouldn't even be close if it weren't for Donald Trump. He pressured them. [Former] Chancellor [Angela] Merkel told us they might be able to get there by 2031, and President Trump said to her, 'no that's unacceptable,'" Grenell added.
"Nothing undermines NATO like a member who doesn't pay their obligations," Grenell said.
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Jeremy Frankel ✉
Jeremy Frankel is a Newsmax writer reporting on news and politics.
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