Former President Donald Trump faces renewed scrutiny over his foreign policy approach amid reports of NATO’s cautious stance towards his potential reelection. Political analyst Richard Stengel recently criticized Trump’s handling of international relations, branding him a “slumlord” during a discussion on MSNBC’s ‘The Weekend’ show.
Stengel contrasted Trump’s hosting of Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán at Mar-a-Lago with President Joe Biden’s more conventional meetings with NATO leaders. He highlighted concerns within NATO about potentially withholding critical intelligence from a Trump administration, fearing repercussions from his unpredictable use of such information.
Referring to Trump’s background in real estate development, Stengel drew parallels to controversies involving tenants at Trump properties, including a CNN-reported incident where utilities were allegedly cut off, leading to legal disputes and settlements.
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Regarding Trump’s strained relationship with NATO, Stengel mocked Trump’s criticism of member nations for not meeting their defense spending commitments, quipping, “Once a slumlord, always a slumlord. He doesn’t understand that it’s about contributing 2% of their GDP for their military budget.”
Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for what he perceives as inadequate defense spending, threatening consequences if reelected. However, Stengel emphasized European unease with Trump’s rhetoric, characterizing him as a significant security risk in their eyes.
As the November election approaches, Trump and Biden are gearing up for a potential rematch. Biden faces internal pressure within the Democratic Party regarding his candidacy, but has affirmed his intention to continue in the race despite calls for him to step aside.
