Trump Official Says Europeans Not Serious About Defense Spending Compared to GDP

What was said

"I get why you feel the way you do about Trump and Ukraine, but you've got to understand most of the people in America, they're sitting there thinking, hold on a minute, you Europeans, you're way richer than Russia. The European economy is a lot bigger than Russia's. Why do you keep looking to us?"

Mick Mulvaney, Trump's former chief of staff, told Campbell that Americans increasingly question why wealthy European nations with economies far larger than Russia's continue relying on U.S. defense spending. The exchange highlighted the disconnect between Trump's rhetoric and legitimate concerns about European defense investment. Campbell acknowledged the comment made him realize Europe is not being serious enough about the Russian threat.