In a fiery outburst that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, former US President Donald Trump has pledged to dismantle American support for the United Nations if he returns to the White House. The threat comes as a direct response to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) pursuit of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A Blistering Attack on The Hague
Trump's rage was ignited by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan's application for warrants against Netanyahu and his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, over alleged war crimes in Gaza. In a characteristic broadside, the ex-president branded the court's actions as an "outrageous" and "unthinkable" assault on a key US ally.
"The ICC has no jurisdiction, no legitimacy, and no authority," Trump declared, framing the move as a symptom of "globalist" overreach that he has long campaigned against.
The Ultimatum: Funding on the Chopping Block
Should he win November's presidential election, Trump has promised an immediate and severe retaliation. His plan is stark: to halt all American financial contributions to the United Nations.
"When I am back in the Oval Office, America will not supply a single penny to the corrupt and hypocritical United Nations," he vowed, arguing that the organisation had allowed itself to become a vehicle for "persecuting" democratic leaders like Netanyahu.
Echoes of a Previous Administration
This is not the first time a Trump administration has clashed with international bodies. During his first term, the US withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council and the Paris Climate Agreement, signalling a preference for unilateral action over multilateral cooperation. This latest threat suggests a second Trump term would pursue an even more aggressive isolationist foreign policy.
The warning also places current President Joe Biden in a difficult position, forcing him to navigate between supporting a traditional ally and upholding international legal institutions.
What Happens Next?
The ICC's pre-trial chamber must now review the prosecutor's evidence before deciding whether to officially issue the warrants. The political fallout, however, is already being felt. Trump's intervention has turned a complex legal matter into a potent campaign issue, highlighting the starkly different approaches to global diplomacy that will be on the ballot in November.
