Politics Trump Brags About Serving Up American Troops to Saudi Arabia for Nothing More Than Cash

[SlyPokerDog]

During President Donald Trump’s interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Friday, the president spoke about his positive relationship with Saudi Arabia, including how the country is paying to use American troops. Conservative Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.), who until recently was a Republican, responded to Trump’s remarks in a tweet, saying, “He sells troops.”

“Saudi Arabia is paying us for [our troops]. We have a very good relationship with Saudi Arabia,” Trump said. “I said, listen, you’re a very rich country. You want more troops? I’m going to send them to you, but you’ve got to pay us. They’re paying us. They’ve already deposited $1 billion in the bank.”

Trump continued, talking about U.S. troops as, essentially, mercenaries. “We are going to help them, but these rich countries have to pay for it. South Korea gave us $500 million… I said, ‘You gotta help us along. We have 32,000 soldiers in South Korea protecting you from North Korea. You’ve gotta pay.'”

Amash has been a vocal critic of the president and voted in favor of impeachment. He has made this criticism of Trump before. On Meet the Press in October, Amash said Trump’s use of the troops has broken his campaign promise to bring them home. “There are people who support the president, who believe things he says, but it’s pretty clear he’s not bringing home the troops. He’s just moving them to other parts of the Middle East,” Amash said.

He added, “He’s moving troops back into Iraq, he’s moving other troops into Saudi Arabia and using our forces almost as mercenaries, paid mercenaries who are going to come in, as long as Saudi Arabia pays us some money, it’s good to go.”

https://www.rollingstone.com/politi...rican-troops-to-saudi-arabia-for-cash-936623/

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[Propagandist]

Comic Book Villain.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

He’s saying out loud what everyone already inherently knows. It’s common sense at a certain level.

That is why nobody cares. The only thing that interests me is maybe we should pay attention to the fact that this is the only president who has been so stupid/brazen/awesome/insane to actually...say it out loud. Is it low key good? Is he a senile monster?

whatevz

 

[barfo]

The question is, whose bank account did Saudi Arabia deposit $1B into?

I'm not sure we should assume it is the US Treasury.

barfo

 

[jlprk]

The balance of trade is complicated (trade deficits). Did Saudi Arabia increase the price of oil a tiny bit to compensate? Did U.S. negotiators decrease the price of military goods to get the deal done?

 

[jlprk]

In other words, the net trade deficit or surplus (money coming in, minus going out) may be the same now, as before Saudi Arabia paid for bases.

You rob Peter to pay Paul. Or you add a pound to one side of the scales, and add a pound to the other side of the scales. Then you publicize just one side of the story.

 

[crandc]

So what if they murder an American journalist? He probably admires them for it.

 

[Hoopguru]

Countries pay Iran (Qatar) not to threaten them and countries are paying us to protect them.
One of the fastest growing industries is the sale of security of differing kinds. Look at how many people pay for identity theft or home security.
Money isn’t the capital it’s what you purchase with it and the tool it becomes.

 

[MARIS61]

Same as it always was. All US agreements to use Americans to defend other countries contain provisions for the defended countries to share the cost. Always have, just not always enforced (see NATO, UN...)

 

[CupWizier]

Same as it always was. All US agreements to use Americans to defend other countries contain provisions for the defended countries to share the cost. Always have, just not always enforced (see NATO, UN...)

Can you explain why our military budget is more than the next 7 or 8 countries combined? China is the next highest at 200 billion and the USA is at 600 billion.

 

[Lanny]

Can you explain why our military budget is more than the next 7 or 8 countries combined? China is the next highest at 200 billion and the USA is at 600 billion.

I believe the recent budget allowed $700 Billion for our Military.

 

[calvin natt]

Can you explain why our military budget is more than the next 7 or 8 countries combined? China is the next highest at 200 billion and the USA is at 600 billion.

Zero explanation. Small dicks.

 

[jonnyboy]

I believe the recent budget allowed $700 Billion for our Military.

Democrats were happy to cram that legislation through. You know, gotta stop the madman Trump from starting a war. Lol. The entire government is a criminal clown show.

 

[CupWizier]

Democrats were happy to cram that legislation through. You know, gotta stop the madman Trump from starting a war. Lol. The entire government is a criminal clown show.

WTF? How does passing a budget bill have anything to do with trump and war? You do know that Republicans control the senate and the president is a republican so it could have been stopped at any time. Reading your posts makes me scratch my head more than a person that seriously needs to use Head and Shoulders.

 

[jonnyboy]

Weren’t you just gloating about putting me on ignore? What happened with that?

 

[CupWizier]

Weren’t you just gloating about putting me on ignore? What happened with that?

First, I don't gloat over anything.

Second, I choose what I see and when I don't want to see something

Third, you failed to answer the question and instead chose to make it personal with me. Afraid of discussion?

 

[jonnyboy]

First, I don't gloat over anything.

Second, I choose what I see and when I don't want to see something

Third, you failed to answer the question and instead chose to make it personal with me. Afraid of discussion?

Detailing your use of the ignore function while simultaneously implying someone else is ‘afraid of discussion’.

Not ironic at all.

 

[CupWizier]

Detailing your use of the ignore function while simultaneously implying someone else is ‘afraid of discussion’.

Not ironic at all.

Pretty much any reply from you is ironic kid. Thanks for reminding me why it's not worth having a discussion with as you have continually demonstrated that you seldom provide anything to support some of your opinions.

 

[yankeesince59]

^^^What he said.

 

[jonnyboy]

Thanks for reminding me why it's not worth having a discussion with you

Sure no problem. I’ll remind you again when you forget and start bugging me, it usually doesn’t take more than a day. Maybe you can get YankMe59 to cheerlead again.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

How is this not the greatest scandal out there? Why is the media not talking about this? This is horrific.

 

[MARIS61]

Can you explain why our military budget is more than the next 7 or 8 countries combined? China is the next highest at 200 billion and the USA is at 600 billion.

Because we're defending Europe, half of Africa, most of the Pacific Rim, something like 104 countries, and POTUS Trump is the first President to suggest that they should pay their fair share. Also, the China number is bullshit. Nobody knows what China spends, but they've built a nest of Islands and developed hypersonic weapons without spending any money to defend other countries.

 

[jonnyboy]

How is this not the greatest scandal out there? Why is the media not talking about this? This is horrific.

Because it’s business as usual and the media is complicit in clamoring for wars and sucking Saudi Arabia’s dick. Nothing here is new, Trump was just dumb enough to say it out loud on national television. There are no scandals in America when it comes to the military industrial complex. The media tows the line for their sponsors, period.

 

[yankeesince59]

Because we're defending Europe, half of Africa, most of the Pacific Rim, something like 104 countries, and POTUS Trump is the first President to suggest that they should pay their fair share. Also, the China number is bullshit. Nobody knows what China spends, but they've built a nest of Islands and developed hypersonic weapons without spending any money to defend other countries.

Big difference between actually "defending" other countries with our troops vs simply selling military hardware to other countries...the latter is fueled by money, and not with lives.

 

[CupWizier]

Because we're defending Europe, half of Africa, most of the Pacific Rim, something like 104 countries, and POTUS Trump is the first President to suggest that they should pay their fair share. Also, the China number is bullshit. Nobody knows what China spends, but they've built a nest of Islands and developed hypersonic weapons without spending any money to defend other countries.

Wow, not even close. One of the worst spins i have seen. Did you post that with a straight face?

 

[julius]

Wow, not even close. One of the worst spins i have seen. Did you post that with a straight face?

Stop taking what he says at face value. He doesn't mean it.

 

[yankeesince59]

Stop taking what he says at face value. He doesn't mean it.

Jules, I don't get this...are you suggesting that we should not reply to @MARIS61 at all?

 

[CupWizier]

Stop taking what he says at face value. He doesn't mean it.

Lol, i don't. Just like tossing it back at him. Consider it like a snowball fight and i have the superior arm.

 

[oldfisherman]

Big difference between actually "defending" other countries with our troops vs simply selling military hardware to other countries...the latter is fueled by money, and not with lives.

Wow, not even close. One of the worst spins i have seen. Did you post that with a straight face?

The number of USA millitary bases in other countries, manned by our troops is a secret. But, it is well over 500 bases, and may be as high as 800, spread out over 70 countries.