Former NATO boss sticks up for Trump trashing Germany at NATO summit

A former NATO secretary-general doesn't think President Trump's complaints are unfounded.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former prime minister of Denmark who headed up the defense alliance for five years, tweeted support for Trump on Wednesday, saying the American president "has a point" with his gripes about the organization.

"German taxpayers reluctant to pay for the southern Eurozone should understand why U.S. taxpayers question paying more for Europe's defense," he wrote, defending Trump's demands that other NATO members increase their defense spending. Trump accused Germany of being "captive to Russia," while German officials condemned his dismissal of the agreement.

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Rasmussen linked to an article in which he called increased spending from European allies a step "in the right direction," calling on Europe to "learn to take care of itself." The former NATO chief struck quite a different tone than his successor, who delivered a zinger against Trump after a tense group breakfast. While others are calling Trump's approach akin to "defecating all over everything," Rasmussen is giving the president the benefit of the doubt, calling it merely "unorthodox."