Summary
Republican lawmakers who have condemned Putin hesitate to criticize Trump’s recent pro-Russia stance.
Trump falsely blamed Ukraine for the war, called President Zelenskyy a “dictator,” and demanded Ukraine surrender rare earth minerals in exchange for U.S. aid.
While some GOP officials reaffirmed support for Ukraine, they avoided directly challenging Trump. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration negotiated a Russia-Ukraine peace deal without initially including Ukraine.
Zelenskyy rejected Trump’s minerals demand, warning of dangerous precedents.
I was checking out that CNN news humor show “Have I Got News For You” and they had Mike Lawler on as one of the guests. It was painful to watch him stick to talking points on certain subjects (like Ukraine.) Even the GOP congress critters who are somewhat anti-trump act like they’re hostages, while the all-in people act like cult members.
It’s because the US has entered an Authorian Era. The penalty of going against an authoritarian ruler is literal career suicide so they have to toe the party line. Even if they’re against it.
A Conversation With Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/america-path-authoritarianism-democracy-trump
I had to shut it off. To everyone else’s credit they hammered him about it, but I cannot keep watching something that platforms…that.