A handful of US representatives have reacted furiously to a leaked recording in which the special envoy to Ukraine reportedly coached Moscow on how to handle Donald Trump, but most have so far remained mute on the revelation that American officials were advising a US adversary.
Don Bacon, a Republican representative, called for Steve Witkoff’s immediate dismissal. “For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians,” the Nebraska lawmaker wrote on X.
“He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired.”
Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican wrote that the leak represented “a major problem” and “one of the many reasons why these ridiculous side shows and secret meetings need to stop”. He urged that the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, be allowed to “do his job in a fair and objective manner”.
Democratic representative Ted Lieu went further, calling Witkoff an “actual traitor,” and adding: “Steve Witkoff is supposed to work for the United States, not Russia.”
Trump defended Witkoff on Tuesday night. “That’s what a dealmaker does. You’ve got to say look, they want this, you’ve got to convince them of this,” Trump said while onboard Air Force One. “That’s a very standard form of negotiation.” He added that he imagined Witkoff “is saying the same thing to Ukraine”.
That's not negotiation! That's not deal making! That's outright capitulation to the aggressor in a war that should never have been started.
You’ve got to say look, they want this, you’ve got to convince them of this
But that's not what he was saying. He was coaching them on how to convince YOU, Mr. Trump, on how to manipulate YOU, Mr Trump, to get you to help them to get everything they want.
Trump said while onboard Air Force One. “That’s a very standard form of negotiation.” He added that he imagined Witkoff “is saying the same thing to Ukraine”.
He imagines? He doesn't know what his personal negotiator is saying? That's enlightening.
A handful of US representatives have reacted furiously to a leaked recording in which the special envoy to Ukraine reportedly coached Moscow on how to handle Donald Trump,
Only a handful?
Wtf??
This government shows their incompetence more and more as each day passes.
Horrendous, another in a long list of trump-Russia weirdness. There’s like no doubt there are a lot of republicans in bed with Russia, right? Insane.
All that said…
During the conversation, Ushakov said Putin would congratulate Trump and call him “a real peace man”.
The incredibly low bar to manipulate trump. “A real peace man?” It’s like, did they dumb down that language for Putins sake, or for trumps? The fact that you can’t tell is fucking telling.
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