Associated Press
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NOS News•today, 15:31•Amended today, 16:26
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Former US President Trump has expressed his support for protesting Dutch farmers in a speech to conservative youth in Tampa, Florida. In the two-hour speech, he also hinted at a new run for the presidency.
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Trump called the climate crisis to the students a fabrication that even carries a risk of famine. “At the moment, Dutch farmers are bravely resisting the climate tyranny of the Dutch government, which wants to cut their production rigorously despite increasing food shortages,” he said.
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According to Trump, Dutch farmers are no longer allowed to farm their land, they are no longer given manure and they have to get rid of their livestock. “You know why, right? You know why, I don’t need to explain. They want to get rid of the cattle because of what it does to the earth. Half the cattle have to go.”
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Then he pointed to the students and said: “Your turn is next. Our movement is against climate fanatics, we support the peaceful Dutch farmers who bravely fight for their freedom. It is terrible what is happening there.”
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Watch the excerpt from Trump’s speech about the Netherlands here:
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Trump supports Dutch farmers: ‘Terrible what is happening there’
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Farmers’ organization Farmers Defense Force calls Trump’s words in a response to De Telegraaf a “support in the back”. Bart Kemp of Agractie tells the newspaper that it is positive “insofar as it helps to arrive at a realistic nitrogen policy”.
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“The fact that our situation is all over the world does create pressure to find a good solution. Dozens, if not hundreds of international media have already paid attention to it,” says Kemp.
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French radical right-wing politician Marine Le Pen also announced on Twitter yesterday that she supports Dutch farmers:
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“At a time when Dutch farmers are demonstrating against expropriation, I want to express my support in parliament as chairman of the Rassemblement National group,” writes Le Pen.
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