Trump Opens NATO Summit by Accusing Germany of Being “Totally Controlled by Russia”

Angela Merkel hit back at the startling remarks.

Bernd Von Jutrczenka/ZUMA

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel hit back at President Donald Trump after he accused Germany of being “totally controlled by Russia”‘ and urged allies to look into the issue during a rant at the outset of this week’s NATO summit in Brussels.

“I’ve experienced myself a part of Germany controlled by the Soviet Union and I’m very happy today that we are united in freedom as the Federal Republic of Germany and can thus say that we can determine our own policies and make our own decisions and that’s very good,” Merkel told reporters in response to Trump’s comment’s.

The president’s startling tirade against Germany early on Wednesday included suggestions that the country’s support for Nord Stream 2, a pipeline project that would bring gas from Russia to Germany, was a security threat to Europe. “How can you be stronger when a country is getting energy from the person you want to protect against?” Trump asked.

During the breakfast meeting, Trump targeted Germany with his continued complaint that NATO members do not spend enough on their own defense. The combative remarks appeared to rattle the president’s aides, including White House chief of staff John Kelly and NATO ambassador Kay Hutchinson.

The remarks come as Trump is set to meet next week with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He recently suggested that his relationship with Putin is “easier” than his relationships with US allies in Britain and Europe.

By accusing a global rival of having unsavory ties with Russia—at the moment investigators are looking into the president’s own unsavory ties with Russia—Trump is continuing his use of the so-called “boomerang insult,” a strategy that seeks to deflects attacks against him on to his critics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liGZGGQTYQk

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate