Updated 08.35 | Published 07.31
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WEST PALM BEACH. Donald Trump threatened NATO countries with encouraging Russia to “do whatever the hell they want”.
But when asked how he views Sweden’s membership in the defense alliance, he downplays the rhetoric.
– I love Sweden. I like NATO, I like Sweden, he told Aftonbladet during his exclusive Super Bowl party.
- Donald Trump softened his rhetoric regarding Sweden’s possible membership in NATO, expressed his love for both Sweden and NATO during his Super Bowl party.
- Trump has questioned NATO’s effectiveness and the countries that fall short of its defense goals, but toned down his speech in this interview.
- The former president’s comments come in light of his potential political comeback and may have implications for Sweden’s role within NATO.
ⓘ The summary is made with the support of AI tools from OpenAI and quality assured by Aftonbladet. Read our AI policy here.
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Instead of the red carpet, a green carpet with white stripes – which looks like an American football field – has been rolled out to the entrance of Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach.
It’s time for America’s and one of the world’s biggest television events: the Super Bowl. Donald Trump has invited to his annual football party to watch the game of good friends’ teams on big screens.
Along the grills on the club’s porch, sausages and hamburgers sizzle, while invited members mingle at the bar.
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full screenTrump together with guests during the Super Bowl night. Photo: Emelie Svensson
Donald Trump walks to the edge of the grass and looks out over the golf course. There are dozens of cheerleaders and a brass band ready to perform for the former president.
After the musical number, Trump turns around.
– So many people out here! Come on, let’s watch the game, he says.
A day earlier, the party host stood at a rally in South Carolina and made a statement that has sparked international reactions.
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full screen The entrance to the golf club decorated in Super Bowl style. Photo: Emelie Svensson
He claimed that a president of “a major country” asked him if the United States would come to their aid in the event of a Russian attack.
– No, I would not have defended you, Trump said he replied, adding:
– In fact, I had urged them to do whatever the hell they want. You must pay.
Former President Donald Trump has on several occasions expressed harsh criticism of NATO and the countries that do not meet the defense alliance’s goal of spending two percent of GDP on defense.
But this time he went a step further, saying he would urge Russia to do what they want. Something that has raised concerns when Trump is once again campaigning for the presidency.
The White House was quick to issue a condemnation and EU politicians have reacted strongly to Trump’s statement. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also roared when Trump hinted that he would not comply with NATO’s article five, “an attack on one is an attack on all”.
“Any suggestion that alliance members will not protect each other undermines our security,” he said.
– I suspect that the USA will continue to be a NATO ally in the future regardless of who wins the presidential election.
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full screenTrump watches the game at his table at Mar-A-Lago. Photo: Emelie Svensson
But when Aftonbladet meets Trump during the Super Bowl party, he downplays the harsh rhetoric.
When asked how he sees Sweden as a new member of NATO, potentially already within a couple of weeks, he answers:
– I love Sweden. I like NATO, I like Sweden.
Then he is guided from the porch to his table by the Secret Service to watch the game, accompanied by his daughter Tiffany Trump and associates. Further away in the room sits his former lawyer Rudy Giuliani.
The rest of the evening is devoted neither to geopolitics nor defense issues – but to the battle between two football teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, as well as a coke and popcorn.
– Not a bad match!, says Trump afterwards.
