Internal Schism: Trump Provokes Anger Among His Supporters Over Weapons for Ukraine

16.07.2025 | Foreign policy

President Donald Trump provoked sharp criticism from his own allies by announcing a plan to supply weapons to Ukraine through NATO, which some perceive as a betrayal of his initial campaign promises to end foreign military commitments.

Снимка от DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr, Wikimedia Commons (обществено достояние)

The political space of the United States is shaken by an unexpected move by President Donald Trump, who announced a plan to arm Ukraine through NATO, causing an internal rift among his supporters from the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, known as one of Trump's most loyal allies, publicly expressed her disagreement with the decision. In an interview, she emphasized that this move contradicts campaign promises to end foreign military commitments.

Key figures from Trump's inner circle, including his former strategist Steve Bannon, sharply criticize the initiative. Bannon described the conflict as a "European war" and insisted that Europe take responsibility for its own security.

The White House, however, insists that European allies will cover the costs of American weapons. Trump emphasized that the US will produce the armaments, but payment will be entirely at the expense of European countries.

Despite the criticism, some domestic political analysts note that a significant portion of Trump's supporters still support the idea of arming Ukraine. A recent survey shows that about two-thirds of Trump's voters agree with continuing military support.

In an exclusive interview with BBC, Trump stated that he is "disappointed but not giving up" regarding Vladimir Putin. The president shared that he had seen potential for a peaceful agreement about the conflict in Ukraine at least four times.

Defense Secretary Elbridge Colby defended the president's position, emphasizing that the "America First" approach requires fair and equivalent allied relations. He pointed out that NATO's recent commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of their economic potential is a historic moment.

Trump confirmed his support for the principle of collective defense in NATO and emphasized that allies are now "paying their own bills". This move is seen as an attempt to balance isolationist attitudes with the need for international engagement.

Despite internal contradictions, the president remains firm in his intention to continue support for Ukraine while insisting on financial responsibility from European allies.

The political analysis of this moment reveals the complex dynamics in the Republican Party, where different factions have conflicting perceptions of the United States' international role.

The ultimate result of this move is yet to be evaluated, but one thing is certain - Trump once again demonstrates his ability to provoke and surprise both his political opponents and his own supporters.