Trump vows to develop US domestic 'missile shield' if reelected

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Former US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that he would develop a new "missile defense shield" for the United States if he were to be elected in the upcoming 2024 presidential election amid rising concerns about the threat posed by hypersonic missiles.

"There is no greater danger than the deadly menace of nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles," Trump said in a video statement. "When I’m commander in chief… I will work with Congress and our great military leaders… to build a state-of-the-art, next-generation missile defense shield," he pledged.

According to the former head of state, the system would be similar to the Israeli occupation's Iron Dome system amid concerns from the United States about hypersonic missiles, particularly ones armed with nuclear warheads.

Republican US Senator John Cornyn warned earlier in January that China and Russia were ahead of the United States on hypersonic technology.

Trump stressed that the world had become "vastly more dangerous" since President Joe Biden took office, arguing that the nuclear rhetoric had not been employed against the US under his administration and saying that foreign adversaries were now using it due to their lack of disrespect for the incumbent administration and the Biden leadership.

The former President underlined that WWIII would make WWI and WWII look like "very small battles," explaining that the best way to prevent such conflict from taking place was preparing the United States with advanced technology and paramount strength.

Trump also went on to say that the Space Force that was established during his tenure would play a vital role in his proposed effort to create a shield for the United States.

He warned of a nuclear war a day earlier while commenting on the US promises to supply Ukraine with tanks and IFVs.

"FIRST COME THE TANKS, THEN COME THE NUKES. Get this crazy war ended, NOW. So easy to do!" Trump said on Truth Social, calling the Ukraine war crazy and slamming the West for sending tanks to the country.

Washington announced on Wednesday that it would supply Kiev with 31 Abrams tanks, which would constitute a Ukrainian tank battalion. 

The announcement was made shortly after Germany said it commits to providing 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks to Ukraine. 

The former Republican President has said several times that the Ukraine conflict would have never happened if he were president and warned that the conflict would eventually lead up to World War III. 

A survey conducted in December by the Chicago Council showed a remarkable decline in American popular support for Ukraine's military aid in light of the ongoing war.

Nearly half of Americans say Washington should urge Kiev to settle for peace with Russia, according to the same survey.

"Republican backing for aid to Ukraine has slipped since the spring, with 55 percent of Republicans saying they support sending military aid, compared with 68 percent in July and 80 percent in March," the survey found.

According to the opinion survey, 47% -- up from 38% in July -- say the United States should urge Ukraine to settle for peace as soon as possible so the costs aren’t so great for American households, even if that means Ukraine will lose some territory.

Americans who say their country should continue supporting Ukraine "even if American households have to pay higher gas and food prices as a consequence" have declined now to 48% -- compared to 58 % in July, according to the same survey.

As for 29% of the participants, they say that the United States should gradually withdraw support for Ukraine.