Trump comments on Russia and NATO 'appalling and unhinged,' says White House spokesperson

On Saturday, the White House dismissed remarks made by the outgoing US President Donald Trump over his failure to defend NATO members against a possible Russian invasion, calling them “appalling and unhinged.”

“One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said: ‘Well sir, if we don’t pay, and we’re attacked by Russia – will you protect us?'” Trump claimed on Saturday at a political rally in South Carolina, seemingly recounting a meeting with NATO leaders.

“I said: ‘you didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’ He said: ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No I would not protect you, in fact I would encourage them to do whatever they want. You gotta pay.”

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, asked about Trump’s comments, said, “Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged – and it endangers American national security, global stability and our economy at home.”