I do think it was just Trump bluster and bravado to try and achieve his goal (in this case other countries meeting their funding commitments). But you just can't say that crap about encouraging Russia, and leaving any doubt on whether our commitment to defend. At best he's playing the role of mafia Don looking for his protection payment. "Awful nice country you got here, be a shame if we weren't around to protect it."

But more and more he's sounding like a deranged delusional lunatic ranting and raving. Don't think it's turnip status like Joey, but whether it's the trials, so many years of fending off TDS attacks, internal polling making him worry Nikki might actually have a chance, or just surrounding himself with sycophants that just let him believe whatever with no pushback to reality, thinking that Nikki was in charge of security Jan 6, or encouraging Russia to attack anyone is just not rational behavior.

And it's not an alleged conversation brought up to change the narrative. It's words he brought up just the other day at his rally.