Donald Trump says European NATO allies have weak armies

Former U.S. President Donald Trump told supporters in a Las Vegas suburb that European NATO members possess “weak” armed forces because they have relied too long on the United States. He claimed the Biden administration transferred about $350 billion worth of weapons to Europe and Ukraine, a figure he repeated despite official estimates that are far lower. Trump said his administration now sells military equipment to Europe, noting that European countries have “a lot of money” and are ready to pay.

Trump’s remarks echo his long‑standing criticism of NATO allies for not meeting defense‑spending targets, even as European nations and Canada together have raised defense budgets to more than $574 billion in 2025, roughly 2.3 % of their combined GDP. The United States’ share of total NATO spending has declined, prompting Trump to argue that Europe must shoulder more of its own defense costs.