U.S. President Donald Trump’s press conference is currently underway, marking the conclusion of his participation in the NATO Summit in Ankara.

Donald Trump began the press conference by praising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, for the way they organized the summit.

“I want to thank President Erdoğan for his hospitality and Mark Rutte for the excellent job he did. It was a great summit,” the U.S. president said in his opening remarks.

The U.S. president noted that Rutte managed to handle “many leaders with strong personalities,” while describing the leaders of the other NATO member states as “very smart people with a lot of kindness in their hearts.”

Trump also insisted that there was “tremendous love” at the meetings, describing a spirit of unity among the allies.

“It’s love, really, for the country, for our own country,” he said. “I don’t want to say it’s for me, because you’ll say, ‘Oh, he’s so arrogant.’”

And he added: “But that’s how it is. And you know they like the work I’m doing.”

Referring to Iran, Donald Trump claimed that U.S. strikes had almost completely destroyed its military capabilities.

“They had hundreds of aircraft, and now they’ve all been lost. They were burned on the runways. They’ve been completely decimated. Their radars have been destroyed. Everything has been destroyed. Their leaders have been killed. Their military capabilities are now very limited. They have only a small percentage of their missiles left and very few launchers, most of which have also been destroyed,” he said.

The U.S. president also asserted that the United States has “by far the strongest military in the world.”

Referring to NATO, he said that last year’s summit in The Hague led to an “unprecedented” agreement to increase defense spending from 2% to 5% of GDP.

“Everyone said it was impossible. Now everyone is thanking me, and most countries have agreed. There are one or two that haven’t done so yet, but I have a feeling they will very soon. Today was particularly positive. In fact, a country I didn’t consider a good team player turned out to be an excellent team player today,” he said.

Trump reiterated that the U.S. remains “NATO’s largest contributor and has the strongest military in the world,” adding that “two years ago, everyone was laughing at us. NATO was laughing at us. Now nobody is laughing.”

At the same time, he stated that the U.S. has invested a record $1 trillion in the Armed Forces this year and that he will request a budget increase to $1.5 trillion to continue supplying “the best military equipment in the world.”

Donald Trump stated that NATO allies are making significant progress toward the goal of defense spending at 5% of GDP, arguing that all countries will ultimately meet this commitment.

“At today’s meeting, we discussed the progress member states are making toward the 5% target, and they are making great strides. Many of these countries are very wealthy. We don’t need to feel sorry for them. Others have already truly stepped up, and others are making major changes. I believe they will all step up,” he said.

The U.S. president argued that, thanks to the agreement reached last year, the defense spending of the other allies will increase by nearly $150 billion by 2025, adding that a large portion of that money is being directed toward the purchase of American weapons systems.

“Everyone wants American equipment. The Patriot, the Tomahawk, and all our systems are considered the best in the world. I’d like to produce them faster, because we could sell everything we make,” he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that $19.2 trillion is “pouring” into the United States, citing new factories, equipment, and industrial projects being built across the country.

Speaking at a press conference, Trump noted that companies, including automakers and defense contractors, are expanding their production within the U.S.

According to him, a large portion of the funds will be directed toward American-made weapons, ammunition, and military equipment, as NATO allies increase their defense spending and seek to procure more American weapons systems.

“I’m not sure I want a deal with Iranian leaders.”
When asked why the war with Iran appears to have reached a “strategic impasse,” U.S. President Donald Trump rejected that characterization, arguing that it was a “huge military success.”

“The war with Iran was a tremendous military success. They want to make a deal, but they don’t know how to make a deal,” he said.

“I think they’re a little crazy,” he said, referring to the Iranian leadership.

The U.S. president then stated that he considers himself Iran’s “number one target,” even implying that his life is in danger.

“Their leaders are gone. They have new leadership. That leadership might be gone, too. And you know what? I might be gone, too, because I’m their number one target. They’re saying it everywhere. I’m their number one target because they’re scumbags,” Trump said.

Donald Trump said he has changed his mind about Iranian leaders, arguing that he initially considered them “reasonable,” but revised his view once he got to know them better.

At the same time, he noted that the current Iranian leadership is “more rational,” though he did not appear certain that he wants a deal with Tehran.

“I’m not sure I want to make a deal with the Iranian leaders,” he said, adding that, in his assessment, the conflict “will end very quickly.”

Source: skai.gr