Krasnov?

March 6, 2025

Donald Trump's second term has removed any lingering doubt about where his loyalties lie, and it is not with the American people. His actions have repeatedly shown that he is more concerned with appeasing Vladimir Putin and furthering Russian interests than defending the United States or its allies. From his open hostility toward Ukraine to his renewed efforts to undermine NATO, Trump’s behavior is a glaring reminder that his allegiance lies with his Russian handlers, not the nation he swore to serve.

One of the most blatant examples of Trump's favoritism toward Russia is his escalating feud with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump has repeatedly attacked Zelensky, blaming Ukraine for Russia's aggression and pushing false narratives that paint Ukraine as the villain. This aggressive posture is not just rhetoric, it has translated into concrete actions that endanger Ukrainian sovereignty and empower Putin’s expansionist ambitions. By cutting off critical arms shipments to Ukraine, Trump has directly weakened their ability to defend themselves against Russian aggression. This decision flies in the face of American strategic interests and further isolates the United States from its allies in Europe.

The suspension of military aid to Ukraine is not just an isolated policy choice, it is part of a broader agenda to dismantle the international coalition opposing Russian aggression. Despite bipartisan support for aiding Ukraine, Trump has consistently sided with Putin's interests by undermining efforts to hold Russia accountable. This is not the behavior of a president dedicated to protecting democracy or standing up for the American people. It is the behavior of someone doing the bidding of a foreign autocrat.

Trump's attacks on NATO have also escalated since his re-election. Despite NATO being a cornerstone of American and European security for over 70 years, Trump has revived his threats to pull the United States out of the alliance. By questioning America’s commitment to collective defense, Trump is giving Putin exactly what he wants: a weakened and divided West. His rhetoric undermines the alliance's ability to deter Russian aggression and sends a dangerous message to adversaries that the United States may abandon its commitments. The practical consequences of such actions are catastrophic, not only for Europe but for global stability.

His animosity toward NATO is no mere political theater. Trump has taken concrete steps to withdraw American forces from Europe, reducing the U.S. military footprint in regions vulnerable to Russian encroachment. This weakening of America’s defense posture aligns perfectly with Putin’s long-standing goal of diminishing U.S. influence in Europe. At every turn, Trump's actions echo Kremlin talking points while ignoring the strategic imperatives of the United States and its democratic allies.

Beyond foreign policy, Trump's domestic agenda also serves Russian interests. His relentless attacks on the U.S. intelligence community, particularly those investigating Russian interference, undermine public trust in institutions designed to protect national security. He has repeatedly dismissed and discredited intelligence assessments that highlight ongoing Russian cyber-attacks and election meddling. This deliberate erosion of faith in the intelligence community weakens America’s ability to defend itself against foreign threats and further emboldens hostile powers like Russia.

Another troubling development is Trump's embrace of authoritarian governance tactics reminiscent of Putin's playbook. Since his re-election, he has intensified his war on the free press, labeling journalists as "enemies of the people" and using the levers of government to punish dissent. This chilling assault on democratic norms mirrors the methods used by Putin to silence opposition and consolidate power. By attacking the foundations of free speech and a free press, Trump is aligning American governance more closely with the authoritarian model favored by the Kremlin.

Trump's financial entanglements with Russian oligarchs remain a significant concern. Despite years of scrutiny, he has never provided a transparent accounting of his business dealings, leaving open the question of whether his policies are shaped by personal financial interests. Russian oligarchs with close ties to Putin have funneled millions into Trump’s businesses over the years, raising alarming questions about his susceptibility to foreign influence. His refusal to disclose these connections only deepens suspicions about where his true loyalties lie.

The consequences of Trump's alignment with Russian interests extend far beyond Ukraine or NATO. His policies have destabilized global alliances, weakened democratic institutions, and emboldened autocrats worldwide. Every time Trump undermines America’s commitments abroad, Putin grows stronger. Every time Trump attacks democratic norms at home, he advances the authoritarian agenda. This is not a coincidence. It is a pattern of behavior that reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize Russian objectives over the well-being of the American people.

Even more alarming is the way the Republican Party has followed Trump's lead, abandoning the patriotism they once claimed to hold dear. Traditional Republican values of strong national defense and support for democratic allies have given way to an agenda that seems more focused on appeasing authoritarian regimes. GOP leaders who once championed a hardline stance against Russia now echo Trump's rhetoric, undermining Ukraine and casting doubt on the value of NATO. This shift not only emboldens Putin but also weakens America’s position on the global stage. By aligning themselves with Trump’s pro-Kremlin policies, these lawmakers are trading American security for partisan loyalty and endangering the very principles they once claimed to uphold.

The embrace of Trump’s agenda by the broader Republican Party represents a profound and dangerous transformation. Once the party of Reagan, who famously called the Soviet Union an "evil empire", the GOP now seems willing to let Russian interests dictate American policy. This realignment is not just ideological drift; it is a betrayal of the American people and a fundamental abandonment of the nation’s core democratic values. If the Republican Party continues down this path, it risks becoming an instrument of foreign influence rather than a defender of American sovereignty, if it hasn’t already done so.

It is no longer enough to question whether Trump’s actions benefit Russia, they undeniably do. From weakening NATO to abandoning Ukraine, from undermining intelligence agencies to adopting authoritarian tactics, every decision he makes advances Putin’s long-term strategic goals. This is not a matter of policy differences or political partisanship; it is a matter of national security and the survival of democratic governance.

If Trump’s allegiance to Putin was in question before, his actions since re-election have erased all doubt. He is not simply a president pursuing an unconventional foreign policy. He is a leader whose every move seems calibrated to serve the interests of a foreign adversary. The American people deserve better. They deserve a leader who will prioritize their safety, uphold democratic values, and defend the nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Instead, they have a president who seems more interested in pleasing his Russian handlers than protecting the country he was elected to serve.