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News & Current Events May 1, 2026 at 10:18 PM

US withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany, US officials say

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HDauthentic May 1, 2026 +1931
Does that mean our military budget will be a little cheaper next year? No? Didn’t think so
1931
2thSprkler May 1, 2026 +695
He’s asking for 1.5 TRILLion for the upcoming year
695
Deervember May 1, 2026 +282
He doesn't understand numbers. 
282
MadRaymer May 1, 2026 +185
There's a long list of things he doesn't understand, and I think the list is growing as the Swiss cheese holes in his brain grow larger.
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HOS-SKA May 1, 2026 +49
Next year will thankfully be "one zillion" which cannot be accommodated. If his generals flippantly say "that's an imaginary number!" our next budget will be "sqrt-1"
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Ahelex May 2, 2026 +6
Ig Nobel Math prize to Donald Trump, who figured out a way to easily educate the masses the concept of imaginary numbers by fudging the war budget.
6
G-I-T-M-E May 2, 2026 +17
He might not understand them but everybody else should understand that it’s real money that‘s going add to an already insane amount of debt: nearly 40 trillion as of April.
17
OdosSolidAdventures May 2, 2026 +17
Y'all joke but they are literally planning on gutting social services to get that goal. They're already gunning for dismantling medicare/medicaid to fund the budget.
17
Thalric88 May 2, 2026 +3
I wouldn't worry too much about it, I'm pretty sure he'll piss someone off enough that europe or canada starts dumping US debt, witch will be closely followed by china dumping US debt.
3
breadleecarter May 1, 2026 +45
'Drug prices are going to come down 600%!'
45
Impossible_IT May 1, 2026 +26
1500%… https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/business/prescription-drug-prices-trump
26
pivovy May 2, 2026 +12
And he kept repeating it over and over and over, in different interviews for months. No one told him. There's gotta be somebody on his team who understands basic math, and they definitely knew and didn't tell him. In part due to fear, but also probably because why bother, it's not like he'd understand anyway. And recently I heard Nutlick making an excuse for him defending his "math".
12
stitchface66 May 2, 2026 +11
would have been nice if the press ever did their job and pushed them on it to their faces.
11
pfannkuchen89 May 2, 2026 +10
Well, nearly every major news outlet is owned by rich conservatives. Of course they aren’t going to push back on anything Trump says or does.
10
Biggie39 May 1, 2026 +6
We’ll need that much to simply maintain current readiness and production… these wars are driving costs up so much it might even be a net negative!
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Mirageswirl May 1, 2026 +17
There is a pop-geopolitics rule of thumb that says an empire is declining when interest on the debt exceeds the military budget. My suspicion is that they are massively increasing the military budget to game this metric.
17
GetsBetterAfterAFew May 1, 2026 +12
Well yes, he just used up our stored munitions during sn illegal war in Iran. Of course this was part of the plan so he could come back to Congress and the idiotic base of war mongering Americans and say "Its a matter of National Security, we need to protect ourselves from sn invisible enemy!"
12
Jazzlike-Outside-121 May 1, 2026 +11
Part of the plan is to use up all the supplies we could have sent to Ukraine.
11
hopeful7321 May 2, 2026 +3
Not a war...an invasion.
3
Academic_Librarian75 May 1, 2026 +3
It takes money to take control of the entirety of North America and some some of south
3
ThisTheRealLife May 2, 2026 +24
The 5000 troops will be replaced by 10,000 contractors for four times the cost.
24
heyhayyhay May 2, 2026 +16
Do these countries still want American troops on their soil? If im Germany, im celebrating less US troops.
16
smailskid May 1, 2026 +68
Lol, f*** no. This is another favor to Putin, and military spending will go way up. So we'll be less safe, and it will cost more. Thanks Republicans!
68
Politicsboringagain May 1, 2026 +11
Of course not. Trumps boys have drones to build and they won't do it for free. 
11
bobcat1911 May 1, 2026 +8
But don't let Hunter sell some paintings...
8
YesterShill May 2, 2026 +6
Ironically, it will go up because there is no military housing available to place them.
6
Ascomae May 1, 2026 +3
It will go down 600% or even 800%
3
what_the_eve May 2, 2026 +5
Actually higher: stationing state side is more expensive because the host countries in Europe subsidize US bases and housing to at least 30% of overall costs.
5
minyhumancalc May 2, 2026 +5
This is what f****** angers me. A big talking point of Trump/Conservatives is America is being the world's defense. Now, there are obviously reasons we did that, but they're not wrong that scaling back to focus money inward towards other programs would be more beneficial... but no, lets increase military spending while still abandoning our allies so we can bomb brown children and in the short-term make our most valuable resource more expensive for the longterm gain of gaining more of that resource as its slowly depleted over time.
5
Primary-Weakness-457 May 2, 2026 +2
Germany gets a win with is withdrawing troops and I'm pretty sure I heard Kegsbreath say it's going to only cost US 345 billion to fly them home...
2
TAV63 May 2, 2026 +2
Right. I'm all for cutting back on the global presence so we see some savings on the massive budget. Yet we know it won't happen.
2
shrimpynut May 1, 2026 +408
this was expected. Trump can’t pull the US out of NATO on paper, but in reality he can shift troops around anywhere making US presence in Europe to nothing if he wanted too. This is the start of it.
408
kstargate-425 May 1, 2026 +158
Its just more wasted Billions as well as even the next Republican will bring them back as the majority know Russia is a threat and with Germany (where a majority of our nukes for the region are stored) its a strategic country to have our troops positioned to fight any threat from the East. Thats besides LRMC hospital, near Ramstein airbase to treat anyone that gets injured from Europe to the Middle East.
158
BleachedUnicornBHole May 2, 2026 +112
It also hurts the US’ power projection. Rammstein Airbase was a key logistics hub to the Middle East as well as a hospital for seriously wounded soldiers.
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rift_in_the_warp May 2, 2026 +38
Just one m for the airbase. The band is 2 m's.
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thedugong May 2, 2026 +24
"I like people who weren't injured."
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PrimeInterface May 2, 2026 +9
You are not wrong: > Grafenwöhr, Vilseck and Hohenfels, run by the Bavaria garrison, are part of the US military’s largest training area in Europe, while the Wiesbaden garrison is US army Europe and Africa’s HQ. Landstuhl medical centre is the largest US military hospital outside the US. > The role of the bases has changed radically since the cold war: **they have become vital forward-staging sites and logistical hubs for US military operations, launching and supporting US wars including in Iraq, Afghanistan and, most recently, Iran.** https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/30/us-military-bases-germany-trump-threat-cut-numbers
9
Quitetheoddone May 3, 2026 +2
Holy shit so this is a dumb move by Trump if he’s wanting to egg on the Middle East and try to cut ties with Europe. It’s just going to f*** us over when we inevitably get pulled into the next escalation.
2
JaVelin-X- May 2, 2026 +9
you think Germany will let them come back?
9
superseven27 May 3, 2026 +2
Yes, because the Germans are usually not pouting as much as Trump does here.
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LarkinEndorser May 2, 2026 +8
I think you’re underestimating how much the average German doesn’t like Americans at this point. If those bases are ever closed down you’re not getting them back.
8
crabcakes28 May 2, 2026 +2
Thats not my experience
2
22stanmanplanjam11 May 2, 2026 +2
You've overestimating German resolve. Russia spit in their face and annexed Crimea after Germany was one of the countries who appeased them and blocked Ukraine's NATO MAP in 2008. They rewarded it by building Nordstream 2.
2
PrimeInterface May 2, 2026 +16
MAGA support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine is deeply unpatriotic and repugnant. Trump and his Christian Nationalist supporters are betraying the NATO alliance and Western allies in Europe and destroying trust in the US as a reliable ally worldwide. During the Cold War, they would obviously have been considered traitors, a Russian fifth column. The irony is breathtaking. The truth is quite simple. Both, the Trump and Putin regimes rely on the support of movements that are massively religious fundamentalist and far-right extremist, while essentially promoting the interests of billionaire oligarchs. Both Trump and Putin are obviously corrupt neo-fascists who deeply reject any democratic principles. Google "Wikipedia" and “Führerprinzip” to see where this is all leading.
16
komrobert May 2, 2026 +6
For reference, there are 35Kish US troops in Germany right now. 5000 is <15%. Significant but this is supposed to be over the course of 6-12 months. Nowhere near reducing presence to nothing during his presidency at this pace.
6
Nuclear-Jester May 1, 2026 +842
So... they are going to the Middle East, aren't they?
842
0zymandeus May 1, 2026 +760
No, this is the "US voluntarily giving up global leadership" that Republicans have wanted since Obama was first referred to as the "leader of the free world"
760
Infamous_East6230 May 1, 2026 +203
It’s a mission from long before then. Conservatives have always hated the way the modern world was based on liberal ideas. They don’t want governments or agencies to exist to help people. They want authoritarian control over resources, people, and language. Conservatives are inherently against freedom. Always have been.
203
Additional_Cap72 May 1, 2026 +45
Seems this is rooted in their theology, as Jefferson warned “The priest has always been hostile to liberty” A Christian national agenda is a power play as the pendulum swings the other way.
45
jupiterkansas May 1, 2026 +82
Conservatives were against the American Revolution.
82
Infamous_East6230 May 1, 2026 +37
Honestly a fair point
37
NthDegreeThoughts May 1, 2026 +4
After that speech maybe the US can rescind the whole independence thing, and instead of going back to 1930 go all the way back
4
Infamous_East6230 May 1, 2026 +3
Nah the plan is to create a new monarchy. Look up the Dark Enlightenment movement
3
TsunGeneralGrievous May 2, 2026 +2
Assassin’s creed has become a lot more relevant in the modern day than i expected it to be
2
woodst0ck15 May 1, 2026 +206
Cutting off their nose to spite their faces. Isolationism isn’t gonna work out like they think it is.
206
Militantpoet May 1, 2026 +41
I think its working exactly as intended. They threw soft power away and want to use hard power and the threat of it to establish personal business ties with oligarchs and dictators.
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Delamoor May 2, 2026 +11
Yep. Country gets poorer and weaker, but they personally get richer and more power within said rotting nation.
11
xporkchopxx May 1, 2026 +68
“isolationism isnt gonna work out like they *think*…” lemme stop ya right there buddy
68
Drokstab May 1, 2026 +28
If it was actually reducing the military by 5000 troops thats not isolationism. Unfortunately they are likely going somewhere else to spite nato. Having military bases in every allied country isn't globalism.
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Charlie_Mouse May 1, 2026 +43
Sure, but those bases largely underpin Americas logistical and force projection capability over a large chunk of the globe. It’s pretty hard to stage adventures in the Middle East without them for example. Those 5000 troops may well go elsewhere but America will still be weaker as a result. The fun part is that thanks to Trumps abrasive and insulting version of ‘diplomacy’ with longstanding allies the European reaction to Trump and MAGA threatening to draw down/close those bases is actually “good!”. Heck, it’s verging on “Don’t let the door hit your ass in the way out”. They now see little if any advantage in being allied to the current version of America - if anything it looks more like a potential threat and Putin-d***-sucking enemy than anything else. One of the many big lies of the current administration is that those bases were somehow a selfless favour to Americas allies. Which is frankly bullshit - they were always about power projection and outflanking America’s enemies … at least they were back when America was rational enough to discern enemies from allies.
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calmdownmyguy May 1, 2026 +14
America allies today are determined by who buys the most trump crypto coins.
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DoradoPulido2 May 1, 2026 +11
The USA has roughly 750 overseas base sites spread across roughly 80 nations and territories, more than any other single power in the history of the world, but that's not "globalism"? The only difference is, historically groups like the British Empire claimed ownership over territories, while the USA simply claims protectorates. It's an important distinction that keeps the US from looking like an empire, while retaining military and economic control around the globe. Around the globe, through military and economic sanctioned control... globalism.
11
Worthyness May 2, 2026 +2
Totally worked the last time the conservative party enacted a shitton of tariffs and practiced isolationism while tanking the economy at the same time. It was so great for everyone.
2
[deleted] May 1, 2026 +20
[deleted]
20
derpygoat May 1, 2026 +9
I know of several military people that are being deployed now but can’t talk about where they are going. But yea it’s definitely the middle east
9
WaffleHouseGladiator May 2, 2026 +3
Of course not.  Didn't you hear?  The conflict is "terminated." 
3
fractalfay May 2, 2026 +2
They’re mostly getting out of Russia’s way.
2
ChicagoAuPair May 1, 2026 +739
It’s wild that Trump successfully ended America’s position of power in the world in just a couple years. Weakest President in the history of the country. You cannot be strong without intelligence, and he has shown us just how quickly the house of cards collapses as soon as you remove the smart people from the room. We probably deserve it, but it’s going to be a shocking paradigm shift for every American who has grown accustomed to our post WWII position of privilege. Nobody needs to pretend to like us anymore. It’s going to be a sad reality check.
739
irazzleandazzle May 1, 2026 +203
our allies are an extension of our power, and he has totally ruined our relationship with our allies and thus lessened our power in the role while maintaining our role.
203
ChicagoAuPair May 1, 2026 +57
It’s over now.
57
Silicon_Knight May 1, 2026 +43
would help to not threaten invading allies. Speaking as a Canadian. It's really just bringing more people to Europe now. I mean I know we will always trade with America and vice versa because it's geographically easy, but we sure as shit dont need to buy weapons from the US.
43
TylerHyena May 2, 2026 +13
Our relationships were deader than dead when he cried to the UK and NATO to help him with Iran, then threatened them the next day when they wisely said no, and then he claimed that we didn’t never needed their help anyway.
13
Chiron17 May 1, 2026 +29
The decline will take on a lot of speed if the dollar loses its status as the de facto global currency reserve
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JimBeam823 May 1, 2026 +19
He wants to squeeze our allies for short term gain, and is oblivious to the long term loss. But then again, he’s nearly 80. He doesn’t care about long term.
19
MysteriousDatabase68 May 1, 2026 +28
16 months my friend. Not even the halfway mark of his term.
28
Fearful-Cow May 2, 2026 +10
dont rule out him running again. Laws and the constitution are clearly just suggestions to them.
10
MediocreAssociate466 May 1, 2026 +65
I don't actually believe he is a Russian agent or sent by China to destroy the United States from within. But boy if he was would he do anything different? Incredible how quick the us is declining and will have no allies left soon.
65
Spinoza42 May 1, 2026 +20
I actually think this is all a bit too chaotic for Putin's liking. I mean he won't complain, but I don't think he would request this kind of insanity. This is all more in the service of Thiel, Sacks and Musk. Default and dissolution on track.
20
walksonfourfeet May 1, 2026 +59
You honestly don’t believe that he’s being played by the Russians and the Chinese and any other world power that sees an easy mark?
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Dandan0005 May 1, 2026 +43
It doesn’t matter if he is or isn’t at this point because his behavior is the same either way. Pulling troops out of Germany might as well be a birthday gift to Putin.
43
Protean_Protein May 1, 2026 +38
“Being played by…” is not the same thing as being a witting agent. I agree that I don’t think he’s aware of the seriousness and damage of a lot of what he does, or, if aware in some cases, simply doesn’t care. He seems to be entirely incapable of doing anything except jockeying for power and money by engaging in transactions with whoever the last most powerful person he spoke to was.
38
MediocreAssociate466 May 1, 2026 +14
Sure he's being played but that's anyone who talked to him last. Not the same as being a direct agent to destroy the country which is what he's been doing
14
ThatOneTimeItWorked May 1, 2026 +9
Trump wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut if he was consciously working for Russia. But, just like all the tech-bros realized, trump is dumb as f*** and incredibly easy to manipulate. Putin just needs to praise him and spark and idea in his thick brain and he’ll go along with it
9
BountyMakesMeCough May 2, 2026 +2
At the end of the day ‘the people’ have the power. This is what the majority of Americans want or are okay with. 
2
ratherstayback May 2, 2026 +2
In the best case, other allied countries will be filling the power vacuum the US leaves on its path from a superpower to a regional power. But even then, China will take a share of it. The result would be a multipolar world, we are already there to some degree with Chinas recent rise. The EU may be forced to integrate further and potentially federalize to stay competitive and also have a seat at the table. And India may or may not become another very important regional power. In the worst case, China will take over as the sole global superpower. It's almost comical for what ridiculous reasons American voters elected this guy and gave up what was built over so many decades. And to be honest, it was also a stupid gamble by the Democrats. Seeing what's at stake with Trump running, I don't get why they didn't just go with a candidate who's a charismatic white guy. Sadly, these few votes of people who wouldn't vote for a woman and/or person of color were what was needed here. And yes, China was already rising before Trump and the US had problems before he took office. But electing the guy who bankrupted every company he ever touched to do the same thing to your country just because he was entertaining on a TV show is insane. And in the end, Republicans/MAGA (or whatever it will have become by then) will be blaming it all on Biden or Obama because these people, especially Trump, don't have the guts to admit mistakes. You could have all geopolitics experts in the world come to the conclusion that Trump messed it up and your very smart president or his supporters would still say that these experts are wrong. Sadly, this is very symptomatic of our current time.
2
Oregon-Pilot May 2, 2026 +6
And it was all so, SO unnecessary. So many failures got us here, with many chances to correct, and everyone along the way just f****** dropped the ball. Merrick Garland did nothing with Trump when had the opportunity to. Biden could have decided early on that he was done, and there could have been a primary for someone more electable than Kamala. (Not a dig on her, but we could have come up with a better candidate) Then 1/3 of the voting population just sat on their fat, useless asses, slurping down TikTok bullshit about "Kamala not supporting Palestine so I won't vote for her" while the mentally deficient among us got out to vote for King Kiddie Rapist just a little more than those of us with working brains, and here we are. These are just the low-hanging fruit examples, but my god. We really do get what we collectively deserve, even though I can't stand that I have to be subject to the results of stupid people.
6
ChicagoAuPair May 2, 2026 +6
That last one is always the biggest problem, and the hardest to solve. The morons will always be the end of civilization.
6
swift-sentinel May 1, 2026 +8
It’s time to end this. It’s never going to work not with all these dumbass Americans.
8
dozenofroses May 2, 2026 +5
I feel like Americans are rich and powerful because they rigged the system decades ago. I guess we are going to see how your economy and military power projection stands after you give up all that soft power and allies you have gathered..
5
ChicagoAuPair May 2, 2026 +14
America was rich and powerful because Europe was blown to smithereens between 1916-1945.
14
AliceLunar May 2, 2026 +10
World war 2 was the best thing to ever happen to America and they were able to sit at the head of the table and pulled the strings ever since.
10
HeyYou_GetOffMyCloud May 1, 2026 +4
\*We ~~probably~~ deserve it
4
Error_404_403 May 1, 2026 +140
Like some Europeans say, don’t threaten me with a good life.
140
golitsyn_nosenko May 1, 2026 +71
“U.S. reduced its international strategic influence by 5%.” Trump seems to have no idea just why the U.S. has invested in the interests of freedom and democracy beyond its shores. The less reliable you are, the less others turn to you, the less relevant you become to them. That includes purchasing US military equipment, US software, US entertainment and tech - they will build their own industries independent of America. And when you compare the U.S. education and social system to Europe right now, I think I know in time which will attract and foster greater talents. If Trump isn’t a Russian asset tasked with destroying America’s future, I’m not sure what better job a Russian asset could do at that task.
71
2thSprkler May 1, 2026 +207
He withdrew 12,000 his last term. Three more years of this moron. Please vote at midterms
207
_Litcube May 1, 2026 +58
There had better be a massive campaign to vote at the midterms to generate people to get off their ass. The likes of which we haven't seen.
58
RedmundJBeard May 1, 2026 +39
Who is going to pay for that? The people with shit tons of money already bought the republican party, They don't want people voting against them. If you want people to come out and vote you will have to volunteer along with millions of other people and talk to everyone you know.
39
stackjr May 1, 2026 +23
SCOTUS gutted the VRA; turnout no longer matters as they are allowing states to gerrymander based on race which, on the extreme end, could see the GOP pick up 19 seats. Louisiana stopped their primaries so that they can redraw the maps and I can guarantee that the rest of the red states will follow. We literally just watched SCOTUS kill democracy.
23
bobbymcpresscot May 2, 2026 +8
Bro you better suck it the f*** up with this whiny defeatist attitude and get out and vote. Turn out 100% still matters, now more than ever.
8
temujin94 May 1, 2026 +16
I think there is still a sizable delusion of people that think they're going to be able to vote their way out of this. Trump has already made it clear his disdain for democratic principles and will use whatever means necessary to render them useless yet again.
16
stackjr May 1, 2026 +5
I was one of those people until Wednesday. We still had the remote possibility of being able to vote these people out but the SCOTUS ruling has absolutely guaranteed that we will only see a GOP majority in the House (at least) for the foreseeable future. A Dem can still win the presidency but that will mean shit when Congress overrides the POTUS at every turn. We are truly fucked.
5
temujin94 May 1, 2026 +9
There was no possibility as soon as a man that tried to violently overturn an election was re-elected by the majority of voting Americans. Trump isn't leaving.
9
reddit_ending_soon May 2, 2026 +2
> Trump isn't leaving. Nope, but anyone with a brain will soon
2
GoodIdea321 May 1, 2026 +3
And he can fail at it because enough people are against it. I don't get why people think doing a tactic is the same as having 100% success with it. He started a war with Iran to gain popularity, and he's lost popularity, how is that tactic going?
3
doneandtired2014 May 1, 2026 +4
Not to be overly pessimistic, but you're trying to appeal to the exact same f****** morons who were told to their faces without ambiguity and under no uncertain terms "Dan Wilson and Biff Tannen present Dictator Time!!!" would be the Trump 2.0 agenda *and they chose to do nothing*. They will continue to do nothing. The occupation of space, consumption of resources, and circle jerking each other about how morally superior they are is about the only thing they are good for.
4
keenan11391 May 1, 2026 +6
Go do it! Assume that nothing will be there if you're not involved in it
6
TheDestroyersofAll May 2, 2026 +5
No, he did not withdraw 12,000 troops from Germany in his first term. He certainly planned on it but Biden ended up putting a stop to it. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/04/us/politics/biden-germany-troops-trump.html
5
GroblyOverrated May 1, 2026 +37
We will never recover from this weak GOP and this administration.
37
Snors May 2, 2026 +20
You will never recover from the fact you voted in this BS... twice. The US has proven themselves to be untrustworthy, and wholly unreliable. The US needs a massive change in its internal politics before the rest of the developed world considers a return to the normalised international relations we were used too. This administration and the GOP are not the problem. they are a symptom of the problem. Until the US recognises this nothing will change.
20
Nextasy May 2, 2026 +6
More chose it than didn't, and all of them now accept it, they just roll right over Every American needs to ask themselves what it would honestly take to get them out on the streets full time, that would make protesting daily more important than anything else. Is there any humiliation that would drive the average American to this point? Is there nothing they won't suffer?
6
TheBigCore May 2, 2026 +3
> More chose it than didn't, and all of them now accept it, they just roll right over The irony is especially thick given how they're always yelling to the world how "free" they are and that they own tons of guns to stop tyranny.
3
Baebel May 2, 2026 +2
Many didn't choose at all, which only contributed to the problem.
2
Dxres May 2, 2026 +2
Frankly, you guys deserve it, and I for one hope Americans never do. American exceptionalism has shown itself to be a hollow lie. Like another commenter said, Trump and his admin are a symptom. Your society is the problem.
2
Unable_Resort_7956 May 1, 2026 +31
Leaving the world safe for Russia. I was born in Germany. My dad did three tours there. The WHOLE POINT to us being there was keeping Russia in check. I swear Trump is a Russian mole.
31
idonteven93 May 2, 2026 +8
Russians can’t even defeat Ukraine and are already losing half their generation of young men… As a German, I don’t see Russia invading Germany in a long time…
8
GumbySquad May 1, 2026 +89
Russian asset does stuff and things for Russian interests… more news at 11
89
kstargate-425 May 1, 2026 +10
Yeah its harder and harder to say that he isnt compromised as he's actively destroying the US from within like Putin said was the only way to beat the US. Its a checklist thats being worked on for both Russia and China to ensure China is the sole superpower.
10
zeeper25 May 1, 2026 +28
Trump is a traitor and a Russian asset, or at least kompromised by them (along with Israel)
28
Feisty-Barracuda5452 May 1, 2026 +9
Giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
9
[deleted] May 1, 2026 +36
[removed]
36
AliceLunar May 2, 2026 +9
Got some ways to go then, hope they'll leave soon as well.
9
thatranger974 May 1, 2026 +3
I wonder if this reduction included troops that have their family with them. Wives that will have to pack up and ship furniture, army kids that will have to transfer to another school on a different base. All because Trump can’t take criticism.
3
ninjax247 May 2, 2026 +3
Not necessarily. Overseas postings are normally 2-4 year tours, so with 35k soldiers, you're normally having about 10k changing station and being replaced by new soldiers, so to go down to 30k you just don't replace half of those. There's also the nuance that we were lowering our military presence in Europe before Trump ever took office, but then there's the question of whether we should continue with that while Russia is being Russia.
3
MrMichaelJames May 1, 2026 +7
Can’t pull out of nato so opening a big door for Russia in Europe instead. Just like Putin requested on the call the other day.
7
TriXter69 May 1, 2026 +24
Is it because they hurt his feelings?
24
Kerlyle May 1, 2026 +39
Yes, Merz said he doesn't think Trump has a rational plan for how to end the war, and Trump cannot handle criticism.
39
Shtankins01 May 1, 2026 +8
Putin thanks us for our attention to this matter
8
Heimerdingerdonger May 1, 2026 +6
This 5000 troop move does nothing other than waste money. Is this what they call Vice-Signalling?
6
Misophonic4000 May 2, 2026 +6
Self-inflicted injury after self-inflicted injury... Actively shrinking the United States' power daily.
6
GoMineBitBoss May 2, 2026 +6
"Shooting yourself in the foot is such a good plan 👌" “Trump’s policy of crude threats has reached its limits,” a German official said. “His rhetoric has worn thin. Withdrawing U.S. troops from Germany would severely weaken the U.S. itself, and we wonder when the adults in D.C. plan to step back into the spotlight.”
6
exqueezemenow May 2, 2026 +7
Germany can also revoke US bases there.
7
raistan77 May 2, 2026 +5
This was announced after a meeting with Putin 
5
Reasonable_Answer295 May 2, 2026 +6
I don’t think Germany really cares at this point, I don’t think anybody in Europe cares. Trump is a bully and all he’s doing is trying to bully these countries into doing what he wants and what he wants isn’t necessarily a good thing for their Europe. Pulling troops from Europe doesn’t hurt Europe. It hurts America. Trump and his supporters are just too stupid to see it.
6
BoilerMaker11 May 2, 2026 +6
When I heard this on NBC Nightly yesterday, the administration’s justification was that Germany didn’t come the USs aid with regard to Iran and the relationship can’t be “one way”. Which is absolutely ridiculous because \#1 Trump said he doesn’t even need Europe and \#2 this is a war of aggression. America wasn’t attacked. If so, Article 5 would get invoked. America can’t just go starting wars because “I just don’t like Iran” and then demand other countries help and get pissy when they don’t. Trump continues to erode our positioning, globally, and it’ll take years to undo the damage he’s done.
6
ObviouslyRealPerson May 1, 2026 +9
This pleases Putin, and so soon after they spoke
9
gandalfsbastard May 1, 2026 +15
Just like Putin desired. Trump is a good little boy.
15
tabrizzi May 1, 2026 +9
According to project , we don't need those military bases anyway. So go right ahead and close them and find out how easily or not-so-easily we can project power.
9
No_Construction2407 May 1, 2026 +8
Russian allies shouldn’t occupy any NATO country.
8
Forcedperspective84 May 1, 2026 +5
A troop repositioning could be necessary for a ton of justifiable reasons. You know what _isn't_ a good reason? Spite.
5
1moreanonaccount May 1, 2026 +5
Just waiting for the announcement of a US military base in Israel😔
5
Maetivet May 2, 2026 +5
Can they withdraw them from the rest of Europe too please, and close the bases. Will be fun to see how well they can prosecute their war with Iran without any European airbases.
5
stuffedandpickled May 1, 2026 +8
Dumb question: why would Germany or Europe care? Thats 5,000 less US soldiers on their land. Was that enough soldiers to stop some imminent threat to Germany? Its obvious we have ruined relationships with many a European allies, but what’s this gonna do? Lower their economy? Make them feel less safe? Its like a Trump flex.
8
Hansecowboy May 1, 2026 +6
You're right. We don't care. And BTW: >During his first term, Trump [ordered the withdrawal](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/29/us-to-pull-12-000-troops-from-germany-after-trump-calls-country-delinquent-386136) of 12,000 U.S. troops from Germany, but he was not able to complete it before President Joe Biden took office. and >The only concrete limit is [a 2025 law](https://www.politico.eu/article/five-ways-us-donald-trump-could-destroy-nato/) that prevents the president from leaving fewer than 76,000 troops in Europe. With up to 85,000 soldiers on the continent, that gives him a legal maximum of 9,000 soldiers. But even doing that would take “four years at the minimum” and could cost “hundreds of billions” of dollars when accounting for indirect expenses as well, said retired Gen. Mark Hertling, the former commanding officer of U.S. Army Europe who helped manage a significant American drawdown between 2003 and 2011. [https://www.politico.eu/article/us-donald-trump-threat-pull-troops-out-germany-crashes-into-reality/](https://www.politico.eu/article/us-donald-trump-threat-pull-troops-out-germany-crashes-into-reality/) So let's just check back in 3 years...
6
OrderAdditional1791 May 1, 2026 +9
This is t the power move it’s presented to be.
9
Left_Lack_3544 May 2, 2026 +8
Germany should close the base down.
8
delcaek May 2, 2026 +3
The base? They have dozens of bases in our country.
3
Left_Lack_3544 May 2, 2026 +4
Should close all of them. Including Ramstein.
4
patto647 May 2, 2026 +8
I don’t think leadership appreciates how this actually weakens the US, not Germany.
8
Tjbergen May 2, 2026 +5
It's a good first step.
5
joancarles69 May 1, 2026 +3
Auf wiedersehen! Is that suppose to scare Europe? Because of Russia? Russia's war seems stuck so chances of Russia moving ahead with European invasion are very slim, maybe we should be more afraid of an asteroid falling or whatever else. Come on Donny, any other stupidity before going to sleep?
3
m0nt4n4 May 1, 2026 +3
Because Putin told Trump to do so
3
Euphoric_Anxiety_162 May 2, 2026 +3
Trump's opening doors for bad guys.
3
Aggressive-Fail4612 May 2, 2026 +3
Krasonov doing Putins work
3
Armadilla-Brufolosa May 2, 2026 +3
When are they leaving Italy too? He threatens but doesn't do it...unfortunately.
3
GirlNumber20 May 2, 2026 +3
I didn't think I'd see the end of American hegemony in my lifetime, but I guess I will after all.
3
huntsab2090 May 2, 2026 +3
And moving them to bases in russia. That makes more sense
3
DividedState May 2, 2026 +3
5000 troops will be extremely disappointed by this decision.
3
redrabbitreader May 2, 2026 +3
About time for the americans to go home. They are no longer welcome.
3
AthleteHistorical490 May 2, 2026 +3
Another Putin wish-list item checked off the list.
3
TR_abc_246 May 2, 2026 +3
Donald Trump is a low IQ dunce!
3
Chrisbap May 2, 2026 +3
So…disrupting the lives of 5,000 military personnel and their families because Trump got his feelings hurt.
3
YaThatAintRight May 2, 2026 +3
I really wonder how Americans believe we will be prosperous with the world turning their backs on us? We are giving every incentive to the world to find ways to NOT deal with the U.S. The singular possible outcome of that is not financial windfall, its ruin.
3
Abba_Fiskbullar May 2, 2026 +3
US troops in Germany are a projection of US power and a deployed resource in case of conflict, not a gift to Germany!
3
Kruse May 1, 2026 +11
>The official said the drawdown would ​bring U.S. troop levels in Europe back to roughly pre-2022 levels, before Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered a buildup by then-President Joe Biden. So just back to business as usual. This move isn't as dramatic as this news tries to frame it.
11
AgitatedEdge213 May 1, 2026 +2
Trump needs to be removed
2
Top-Carob-5412 May 1, 2026 +2
Of course there is no security reason for this move. It’s all about Trump’s ego getting hurt. Every decision he makes is about him. It never involves a strategy that benefits anyone else.
2
Xanchush May 1, 2026 +2
Well that's the end of Pax Americana. Glad I witness the fall of the US in my lifetime.
2
Lonely_Noyaaa May 1, 2026 +2
Germany is projected to spend 3.1% of its GDP on defense next year, well above the NATO target Trump always complained about. But that doesn't matter anymore, apparently. The real issue is they won't send their navy to fight a war Trump started without consulting them.
2
TylerHyena May 2, 2026 +2
“We don’t want or need Germanys help anyway.” -Trump, at some point.
2
echolalia_ May 2, 2026 +2
Make America Weaker and Poorer
2
GBrunt May 2, 2026 +2
Then rev-up and f***-off!! And then keep f******-off until you can f*** off no more. Tired of all the US winning in the middle East and Asia. It's done nothing for Europe but cause wholesale bloody murder, terror and endless waves of civilian refugees.
2
Ornery_Flounder3142 May 2, 2026 +2
Does this serve the interests of Russia? Classic drumph.
2
doninside May 1, 2026 +6
Just leave Europe already, good luck then projecting power all over there and middle east
6
Major_Boot2778 May 1, 2026 +3
Not enough, take em all
3
Radiant-Month-1168 May 2, 2026 +3
Troops that dont arrest and put trump in jail to defend the constitution deserve to get moved with no stability.   I only feel bad for the smart soldiers who are democrats that did not vote for a moron as their commander. 
3
anengineerandacat May 1, 2026 +8
I think everyone in Germany likely just celebrated in regards to this... that's 5,000 more jobs available for German defense; potentially an economic impact near those bases though.
8
MetalGhost99 May 1, 2026 +3
5000jobs dont open up for the Germans because they were not local jobs to begin with.
3
anengineerandacat May 1, 2026 +2
Likely right, was mostly just saying that as sarcasm but I don't think that carried across.
2
Skyisonfire May 1, 2026 +4
Almost feels like Trump is trying to weaken the EU...
4
kstargate-425 May 1, 2026 +2
Thats a byproduct of him weakening the US because he's a demented, petti, malignant narcissist with a lukewarm IQ, at best 😒
2
Dan1elSan May 1, 2026 +2
He is doing a bad job of it. Europe has never been so united! Thanks to Vance too for the kiss of death to Orban.
2
GrenobleLyon May 1, 2026 +3
Trump's endorsements / allies: * Viktor Orban in Hungary * Pierre Poilievre in Canada * Peter Dutton in Australia All lost elections as you know (not all are in Europe obviously)
3
Skyisonfire May 2, 2026 +2
To be fair, Trump is a dumbass.
2
DC8008008 May 1, 2026 +2
Who's gonna man Checkpoint Charlie???
2
Zorothegallade May 1, 2026 +2
"Don't let ze door hit you on ze way heraus"
2
smallproton May 1, 2026 +2
Auf nimmer wiedersehen.
2
UGAke May 1, 2026 +2
Gotta be honest, never understood why we need military bases in every country. I feel like we are the only country that does this. Seems wasteful.
2
swift-sentinel May 1, 2026 +2
Cut the budget to zero and transfer powers to states. This has gone one long enough. End it.
2
_ianisalifestyle_ May 1, 2026 +2
average IQ in Germany just went up (to paraphrase Brendan Behan)
2
aboveonlysky9 May 1, 2026 +2
Russia removing US troops from Germany. FIFY
2
Simon___Phoenix May 2, 2026 +2
Why does everyone see this as a bad thing?
2
IHS1970 May 2, 2026 +2
Europeans now know that the US armed services are out of shape, fat butt, racist guys/gals from the south they're probably glad.
2
Damet_Dave May 2, 2026 +2
Putin calling the shots.
2
mirzatzl May 2, 2026 +2
Safe journey, we don't want you in Europe anyways. Bye bye!
2
AffectionateDrop7779 May 2, 2026 +3
The rest of the murdering c\*nts should be kicked out by Germany too.
3
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