Former US President Donald Trump criticized ongoing support for Ukraine, particularly a proposed $118 billion security bill with $60 billion earmarked for Ukraine, during a "Get Out the Vote" rally in Conway, South Carolina. Trump expressed concerns that Ukraine could potentially "drop us like a dog" and suggested providing aid as a loan instead.

At the rally, Trump questioned the rationale behind providing significant financial assistance to Ukraine without any guarantee of repayment, especially if Ukraine were to align itself with another nation, such as Russia, in the future.

He highlighted the potential risk of Ukraine making deals with Russia, leading to a scenario where they no longer cooperate with the US, thus undermining the purpose of providing aid. Trump emphasized the need for caution in international relations and suggested a more strategic approach to financial assistance.

Drawing parallels with his efforts to push NATO allies to increase military spending during his presidency, Trump described his approach of demanding payment from delinquent members before offering protection. He claimed that his stance led to increased contributions from NATO member states.

However, White House spokesman Andrew Bates criticized Trump's remarks, likening his approach to extortion and condemning the encouragement of invasions against allied countries by hostile regimes.

Trump's comments underscore ongoing debates within US politics regarding foreign aid, particularly concerning Ukraine, and highlight differing perspectives on how best to support allies while safeguarding national interests.