Former President Donald Trump stated that Taiwan should pay the United States for its protection, comparing it to an “insurance policy.” He highlighted the logistical challenges of defending Taiwan, noting that it is “9,500 miles away” from the U.S., while China is just “68 miles away.”
Trump criticized Taiwan for allegedly taking away U.S. chip business and becoming “immensely wealthy.” He questioned the rationale behind providing protection to Taiwan for free, asking, “Why? Why are we doing this?”
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These comments mark a departure from the traditional U.S. stance, which supports Taiwan’s self-governance without formally recognizing its independence from China. Trump’s remarks indicate a potential transactional approach to U.S.-Taiwan relations if he were to be reelected.
Trump Confirms Recent Talks with Saudi Crown Prince
Trump also revealed that he has spoken with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince in the last six months, although he did not disclose specific details of their conversations. He praised his personal relationship with the Crown Prince, stating, “I’ll always protect them.”
He criticized the Biden and Obama administrations for weakening U.S.-Saudi ties, claiming that the Saudis are “not with us anymore” and are aligning with China. Despite the CIA’s conclusion that the Crown Prince approved the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Trump suggested he would maintain close relations with Saudi Arabia if reelected.
Trump Denounces Alleged Political Attacks
In his remarks, Trump accused the “Radical Left Democrats” of attempting to undermine the U.S. Supreme Court through what he called “illegal and unconstitutional” actions. He claimed that their “witch hunts” are failing and criticized them for interfering in the presidential election.
Trump urged supporters to defend the integrity of the courts and protect the country, concluding with a call for support for his 2024 campaign.
