Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is giving praise to President Donald Trump for his efforts in pushing Europe to ultimately strengthen NATO.
During an interview at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Graham argued that Trump’s pressure on Europe has reinforced the NATO alliance, saying that the president has been “forward leaning” in demanding that leaders “should do more.” He pointed to how Europe has increased its weapons supply and helped build the Ukrainian army as the “strongest” in the continent with the help of the United States.
“At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done in 2028 or 2032 or 2040 — whenever he leaves — we will have a stronger NATO, a weaker Russia,” Graham told Politico.
While it is unclear if Graham meant Trump would outlast his constitutional second term or merely influence politics once he leaves the White House, critics were quick to jump on the senator’s comments on social media.
“It’s 2028,” former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro posted on X.
One user attached a gif of Kermit the Frog with the text “WUT,” while another added, “He has to leave at the end of his current term.”
Graham had also signaled that U.S. allies should move on from pushing back against the president’s campaign to acquire Greenland.
“Greenland is behind us,” he said. “But the goal is to get outcomes. Who gives a s— who owns Greenland? I don’t.”
Graham said that Greenland will become “more fortified” from Trump, adding that “once he feels like it’s his brand or his buy-in, it’s gonna go big.”
He went on to predict that the United States will eventually station technology on Greenland, noting that Danish officials appear willing to come to an agreement.
“You need to be able to watch the enemy, find out what they’re doing before they know you find out,” Graham said. “It’s really strategically located.”
While speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said the United States is “negotiating right now for Greenland.”
“Greenland’s gonna want us, but we get along well with Europe,” he added. “We’ll see how it all works out.”
The president’s comments come as he has faced fierce resistance from leaders in Greenland and Denmark who have argued that the Arctic territory is not for sale. The president, however, has frequently maintained that ownership over the island, home to critical rare earth minerals, is necessary for national security, while warning against Russia or China occupying it in the future.
Trump told reporters on Jan. 22 that he would have a compromise in “two weeks” related to the future of Greenland, after he had announced a “framework of a deal” with NATO without providing any details.
On Ukraine, Graham said that the United States needs to put “more pressure” and “cost” on Russia. He added that he will advocate for providing Tomahawk training to the Ukrainian military, in addition to pushing his sanctions bill against Moscow forward to lead to an end of its war with Ukraine.