Trump said he would encourage Russia to attack NATO allies he deemed delinquent

Date: 2024-02-10
Entry type: authoritarian-alignment
Current status: The campaign statement was reported and drew allied condemnation; no such direction was executed.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-03

Entities and roles

Vladimir PutinRussian leader whose forces Trump said he would encourage
North Atlantic Treaty Organizationalliance whose members were targeted by the statement
Donald J. Trumpcandidate making the statement

Claims and evidence

factreported
Trump recounted telling a NATO ally that he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to members he considered delinquent in defense spending.
- Associated Press: Trump says he once told a NATO ally to pay its share or he would encourage Russia to do what it wantsCampaign rally quotation