President Trump praised himself on Tuesday for strengthening the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance, claiming member countries had agreed to pay $33 billion more in defense spending “only because” of pressure mounted by him.
“I had a great meeting with NATO,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “They have paid $33 Billion more and will pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars more in the future, only because of me.”
“NATO was weak, but now it is strong again (bad for Russia). The media only says I was rude to leaders, never mentions the money!” he continued.
I had a great meeting with NATO. They have paid $33 Billion more and will pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars more in the future, only because of me. NATO was weak, but now it is strong again (bad for Russia). The media only says I was rude to leaders, never mentions the money!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2018
Trump made similar claims during a press conference he held last Thursday at the conclusion of the 2018 NATO Summit in Brussels, but French President Emmanuel Macron quickly tamped down any speculation the allies had consented to commitments beyond the previously agreed upon target of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense by 2024.
Politifact reported that Trump could have been referring to estimated spending totals in a July NATO report, but the figure was closer to $11 billion rather than $33 billion when Politifact factored in inflation and constant 2010 prices and exchange rates.
Trump has been criticized for the manner in which he dealt with traditional international partners at the summit, including calling Germany a “captive” of Russia because of its energy imports. Trump also caused a stir with his working visit to the United Kingdom, during which he told CBS News that the European Union was a “foe” of the U.S.
Trump’s tweet follows a widely panned appearance alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin at the conclusion of their first official bilateral talks in Helsinki when he openly questioned the work of the U.S. intelligence community, which last year concluded that the Russians meddled in the 2016 election.
He added on the social media platform on Tuesday that while the NATO summit was productive, his meeting with Putin was “even better.”
“Sadly, it is not being reported that way – the Fake News is going Crazy!” Trump wrote.
[Also read: Trump says ‘enemy of the people’ journalists will misreport Putin summit]
While I had a great meeting with NATO, raising vast amounts of money, I had an even better meeting with Vladimir Putin of Russia. Sadly, it is not being reported that way – the Fake News is going Crazy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2018
