Europeans horrified by Joe Biden at the debate, but have been taking steps as they fear another Donald Trump presidency
Donald Trump Joe Biden
(Official White House Photos)
Europeans are not pleased with what they saw in Thursday night’s debate:
Foreign diplomats react with horror to Biden’s dismal debate performance
June 29, 2024
(CNN) – President Joe Biden’s dismal showing at the CNN presidential debate against former President Donald Trump resonated around the world, with foreign diplomats expressing shock and concern while raising questions about the implications for a consequential US election that could upend the foreign policy status-quo should Trump be elected again. …
The overwhelming sentiment among more than half a dozen diplomats from Europe, the Middle East and Asia whom CNN spoke to was that it was “a bad night for Biden,” as one European diplomat put it. …
Biden’s debate flop was front-page news across Europe, …
Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski wrote on social media that Biden should now responsibly manage a succession plan.
“Marcus Aurelius was a great emperor but he screwed up his succession by passing the baton to his feckless son Commudos (He, from the Gladiator). Whose disastrous role started Rome’s decline. It’s important to manage one’s ride into the sunset,” he wrote.
Another Polish diplomat didn’t mince their words, calling Biden’s performance “a horror, what a car crash.” …
The diplomats were not surprised by Trump’s comments on foreign policy during the debate – with one calling it the “same recipe as usual” – but they added that they felt even more concerned about his lack of commitment to Ukraine and what that might mean for European security.
“Trump certainly won this. His worldview is problematic. So for those who believe in a rules-based order, Trump isn’t good,” said a NATO official. …
Biden’s stumbles on the Atlanta debate stage touched a nerve across the continent. Europe woke up to radio stations playing his at times halting, seemingly confused, comments.
No nation was immune to concerns about Biden’s performance. …
Indeed, waves of worry seemed to ripple around the Mediterranean. …
A Trump redux is the last thing most European leaders want, with the world far more dangerous than when he last left office. https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/28/politics/foreign-diplomats-biden-debate-reaction/index.html
So, according to CNN all of Europe is basically in uproar and has security concerns because a second Donald Trump term, “is the last thing most European leaders want.”
Now Joe Biden’s performance was so bad, that even the New York Times ran the following:
To Serve His Country, President Biden Should Leave the Race
At Thursday’s debate, the president needed to convince the American public that he was equal to the formidable demands of the office he is seeking to hold for another term. Voters, however, cannot be expected to ignore what was instead plain to see: Mr. Biden is not the man he was four years ago.
The president appeared on Thursday night as the shadow of a great public servant. He struggled to explain what he would accomplish in a second term. He struggled to respond to Mr. Trump’s provocations. … More than once, he struggled to make it to the end of a sentence. …
As it stands, the president is engaged in a reckless gamble. There are Democratic leaders better equipped to present clear, compelling and energetic alternatives to a second Trump presidency. There is no reason for the party to risk the stability and security of the country by forcing voters to choose between Mr. Trump’s deficiencies and those of Mr. Biden. It’s too big a bet to simply hope Americans will overlook or discount Mr. Biden’s age and infirmity that they see with their own eyes. …
It should be remembered that Mr. Biden challenged Mr. Trump to this verbal duel. He set the rules, and he insisted on a date months earlier than any previous general election debate. He understood that he needed to address longstanding public concerns about his mental acuity and that he needed to do so as soon as possible.
The truth Mr. Biden needs to confront now is that he failed his own test. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/28/opinion/biden-election-debate-trump.html
There has been a remarkably quick change in mainstream media about Joe Biden. However, it has been obvious for some time. Yet, many are acting like they only just realized that Joe Biden has age and other issues.
That said, Joe Biden continues to say he will stay in the presidential race.
He was losing in the polls before the debate and some reports showed that he is now farther behind Donald Trump.
Europe is concerned that Donald Trump will win. Europe has been taking steps and will likely accelerate those steps as EU leaders have little confidence that Joe Biden will win in November.
USA Today reported the following:
‘Dismay and disbelief’: What US allies are saying about the chance of another Trump presidency
European assurances that Donald Trump wouldn’t pull the US out of NATO are ‘the triumph of hope over experience,” former national security advisor John Bolton warned
March 6, 2024
Now, with Trump pulling slightly ahead of President Joe Biden in some national polls, U.S. allies are steeling themselves for a possible MAGA restoration with equal measures of dread and pragmatism. … some allies say they are preparing for a revenge presidency that might actively work against European interests − a dictator-loving administration that could turn its back on NATO while descending into chaos and political theater.
“We now know how Trump likes to operate. He likes to surprise us. He has a transactional approach. In this regard, we won’t be surprised,” said a senior official from a major Western European country who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But if Trump wins it will still be a shock.”
“There is a huge level of dismay and disbelief in Europe among our allies. They are saying: ‘Are you really going to do this again? Is Trump really going to be the guy you go for again?’” said Lewis Lukens, a retired U.S. diplomat. …
“The first four years of Trump put a lot of stress on American institutions and the country internationally that caused a lot of damage to our allies with his erratic, uncertain policies,” said John Bolton, a former national security advisor to Trump.
Bolton has become one of Trump’s loudest critics to emerge from his White House. He said a second Trump term could damage the U.S. and its allies in ways “that simply cannot be repaired.” …
France’s leader Macron has cautioned that regardless of who wins the White House in November, Europe should brace for the possibility that, long-term, U.S. priorities may lie elsewhere.
“They share our values, but it is a democracy that is also going through crisis,” Macron said, adding that the U.S.’s “first priority is itself.” Macron said the U.S.’s second priority is China. …
A senior security official in Europe who requested anonymity … said Europe say “historic increases in defense spending,” … was “driven by strong U.S. urging.” …
Another senior European official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Trump’s recent comments about NATO, as well as his many threats to withdraw from the alliance while he was president, were “very disturbing” and “counterproductive” because they undermined faith in collective security arrangements.
The official said if Trump is re-elected he threatens to upend U.S. and European relations at a time when they have been on a “very good track,” … The official said Europe would not be helpless if Trump were to pursue policies it considered unhelpful and that the region had “possible leverages” to pressure him, such as on trade. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/03/06/what-trump-presidency-would-mean-america-allies/72801477007/
Yes, European leaders are concerned.
Yes, I expect trade conflicts with Europe should Donald Trump take office next January.
As I long warned, trade disputes will be a factor that will turn the Europeans against the USA.
Yes, Europe is spending more on its own military. Notice also the following:
EU proposes major defence boost as it eyes Russia and Trump
Bloc moves to strengthen defence sector in face of Russian aggression and prospect of weakened US support.
5 March 2024
European Union officials have unveiled plans to boost the bloc’s defence sector as it eyes rising threats and the need to increase self-reliance.
Under the proposed European Defence Industrial Strategy, announced by the European Commission on Tuesday, the bloc would boost spending and increase cooperation in procurement. The blueprint is driven both by the need to respond more effectively to Russia’s war in Ukraine and to reduce Europe’s heavy reliance on the United States. … it is the prospect of a return by Donald Trump to the US presidency that has helped focus minds in Europe. Trump has regularly made comments undermining confidence regarding NATO’s collective security, as well as support for Ukraine. …
The Commission also called on the European Investment Bank (EIB) to change its policy this year to enable it to fund defence projects. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/5/eu-commission-proposes-major-defence-boost
And yes, the prospect of another Donald Trump presidency is getting Europe to be more willing to change in many ways, including becoming more militaristic.
NBC reported the following:
February 12, 2024
Top European officials say they are alarmed at Donald Trump saying he would not necessarily protect NATO allies.
Now, Europe must make a decision, according to some experts: Hope American protection endures, or bolster its own withered military forces that on their own would likely be ill equipped to repel a Russian attack.
“The Europeans have to keep on waking up to the strategic reality that Europe might have to defend itself without its primary guarantor, which is the United States,” said Fabrice Pothier, former head of policy planning for two NATO secretaries general, including incumbent Jens Stoltenberg. …
The European rebuke to Trump’s latest remarks has been swift.
Stoltenberg said it “undermines all of our security” and “puts American and European soldiers at increased risk.”
The “reckless” statement would “serve only Putin’s interest,” Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While the European Union’s top foreign policy official, Josep Borrell, said that “NATO cannot be an ‘a la carte’ military alliance” that “depended on the humor of the president of the U.S.” …
Trump’s central critique is that some NATO countries — including economic big hitters such as Germany — do not pay the agreed 2% of their gross domestic product toward defense. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/trumps-nato-europe-russia-threat-rcna138344
Donald Trump has long correctly pointed out that the USA bears more costs of NATO than all its other members combined times 2-3.
In the debate on Thursday, Donald Trump bragged how he got Europe to spend billions and billions more on their military.
Many think that is good.
But people need to be careful what they wish for.
A Europe with more military capability is a Europe that can be totally independent of the USA.
Long time readers of this page will recognize the following things I posted years ago related to Donald Trump and Europe:
WARNING ONE: Donald Trump will offend the Europeans.
The Bible shows that the USA will be betrayed by friends (cf. Lamentations 1:1-2) and the USA will one day be taken over by a European led power (Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses). …
WARNING TWO: Donald Trump’s election will be used to further push European unity.
The Bible shows that Europe will have unification problems, but will still arise (Daniel 2:41-43).
It may be interesting to note that the “best response’ to Donald Trump, according to various European leaders is European unity. …
WARNING FOUR: The fourth warning was that Donald Trump’s rise would encourage the Europeans to arm …
WARNING FIVE: There is a fifth warning related to the fourth: Germany will want a stronger military.
The above was partially based upon Isaiah 10:5-12 which tells of a Germanic-influenced power taking over places, which in the end time include the USA (see also Germany in Biblical Prophecy).
The prospective of another Donald Trump presidency is causing fear in Europe–and fear is a powerful motivator.
What will happen?
The Bible shows that Europe will become a militarily successful power (cf. Revelation 13:3-4), with a great army (Daniel 11:25), and many ships (Daniel 11:40).
It will be so successful, that it will defeat the power with the “strongest fortresses” (Daniel 11:39), which currently is the USA.
It will be so militarily successful that the world will be shocked:
3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:3-4)
Notice also:
As Trump looms, top EU politician calls for European nuclear deterrent
Center-right leader Manfred Weber says EU needs to prepare for war without US help and must build its own atomic shield.
Facing the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House, the head of the EU’s biggest political grouping is calling for Europeans to prepare for war without support from the United States and to build its own nuclear umbrella. …
“We want NATO, but we also have to be strong enough to be able to defend ourselves without it or in times of Trump,” Weber said in a phone interview with POLITICO … “Regardless of who is elected in America, Europe must be able to stand on its own in terms of foreign policy and be able to defend itself independently,” the influential German conservative said. 01/25/24 https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-nuclear-warfare-detterence-manfred-weber-vladimir-putin-ukraine-russia-war/
Might Europe really ever have nuclear weapons independent of USA control?
Yes.
Is this a new position from the Church of God or a longstanding one?
Consider that last century, the late Radio Church of God Pastor General Herbert W. Armstrong taught:
The indication is the armies of the “beast” of Revelation 17, entering Jerusalem…From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ’s coming will be 1290 days. … Forty-five days later “the beast’s armies” will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2)
Do any other verses in the Bible support the idea of something like a nuclear war?
Yes.
Consider the following:
23 ‘The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and His wrath.’ 24 All nations would say, ‘Why has the Lord done so to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?’ 25 Then people would say: ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt; 26 for they went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods that they did not know and that He had not given to them. 27 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against this land, to bring on it every curse that is written in this book. 28 And the Lord uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.’ 29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:23-29).
The whole land being “brimstone, salt, and burning” is consistent with a nuclear type of attack.
Related to that, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
Donald Trump, Europe, and Nuclear Weapons?
Are European leaders quite concerned about a possible second Donald Trump presidency? Have any European leaders publicly proposed developing ‘Euronukes’ because of Donald Trump? Do European leaders believe that Europe should have nuclear weapons independent from the United States of America? Does the Bible prophesy anything like nuclear destruction coming to the USA and its British-descended allies? Do biblical prophecies really point to the USA being destroyed by its European friends in places like Daniel 11:39 and Lamentations 1:1-2? Do Europeans think they need to have nukes whether or not Donald Trump gets into office again? Did the late Herbert W. Armstrong state back in 1989 that the Great Tribulation could actually begin with a nuclear attack by the coming European King of the North Beast power against cities in the USA, UK, and Canada? Are the Europeans now increasing their military spending and considering adding their own nukes? Is there hope from the coming Kingdom of God and the return of Jesus? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these matters.
Here is a link to our video: Donald Trump, Europe, and Nuclear Weapons?
Devastation is coming.
However, the good news of the Kingdom of God is that Jesus will return and put a stop to the type of nuclear and/or other devastation that will happen during the Great Tribulation.
But yes, some of the fallout of Thursday’s debate will be more in Europe being more willing to build up Europe’s military strength.
Do not put your confidence in Joe Biden nor Donald Trump. Put your faith in Jesus. Biblical prophecies will be fulfilled and we are seeing the stage is being set for many to be fulfilled fairly soon.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2031 or 2025 or? There is also a video titled: When Does the 6000 Years End? 2031? 2035? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
Might the U.S.A. Be Gone in 2028? Could the USA be gone by the end of 2028? There is a tradition attributed to the Hebrew prophet Elijah that humanity had 6,000 years to live before being replaced by God’s Kingdom. There are scriptures, writings in the Talmud, early Christian teachings that support this. Also, even certain Hindu writings support it. Here is a link to a related video: Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028? In Spanish: Seran los Estados Unidos Destruidos en el 2028?
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand. A video of related interest is available titled: Should Christians Vote? Another video is Biden, Trump, and the Bible.
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
The End of US Dollar Dominance Is the USA losing its economic status? What about the petro-gold-yuan? A related video is also available: US Dollar being challenged by Gold-Petro-Yuan.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? Here is a version in the Spanish language Escrituras sobre Preparación física para los Cristianos. Here is a link to a related sermon: Physical preparedness for Christians.
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold and silver? Two videos of related interest may be: Germany, Gold, and the US Dollar and Silver, Science, and Scripture.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. Two related sermon are available: Identifying the USA and its Destruction in Prophecy and Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to four related sermons: The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Is a Donald Trump presidency proving to be apocalyptic? Two related videos are available: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic? and Donald Trump’s Prophetic Presidency.
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