Ukraine War Upd. EXTRA/Geopol News: Trump Appointees & Ukraine - Russia Is Laughing

"So, you've got Timothy Mellon, $197 million. The Ullines, $133, $134 million. Musk, $133 million. Miriam Adelson, $132 million. Kenneth Griffin, $100 million. The Yasses, $96 million. And Paul Singer, $59 million. Wow."

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-00:13⏩.120
Jonathan welcomes viewers to a new video about the Ukraine War. He mentions that this video will focus on geopolitics first, and will cover news about the US.

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Putin will not attend the G20 Summit

🎦 00:13.120-01:13.060
Russian media is reporting that Putin will not attend the upcoming G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. Instead, the delegation will be led by Sergei Lavrov. This is likely due to the international arrest warrant for Putin and the obligation of Brazil to arrest him.

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UN Chief Guterres continues his talks with Russian officials

🎦 01:13.060-01:46.260
Guterres has been meeting with several Russian officials, including Prime Minister Mishustin. This has been met with criticism from some, but Jonathan is pleased with Guterres' efforts to engage with Russian officials.

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French prosecutors are calling for Marine Le Pen to be disqualified from running for office

🎦 01:46.260-04:04.800
Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally Party, is being investigated for embezzlement of EU funds. The prosecutors are requesting that she be found guilty and barred from running for public office for 10 years. Jonathan compares this to the situation with Trump and suggests that being labelled a criminal could actually boost Le Pen's electability. He believes that corruption is more prevalent in parties like the National Rally.

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Norway should be paying more towards helping Ukraine

🎦 04:04.800-06:11.040
Jonathan shares a comment from a Swede who praises Norway for their generosity and their financial wealth. The Swede also mentions that Sweden is taking loans to finance their support for Ukraine. Jonathan agrees with the Swede's perspective that Norway should contribute more.

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Germany is facing political instability with a possible coalition breakdown

🎦 06:11.040-09:09.520
The traffic light coalition in Germany is breaking down due to disagreements about the Taurus project. This could lead to a vote of confidence and potentially an early election. Jonathan discusses the possible scenarios, including a CDU-SPD coalition and the rise of the AFD and BSW parties. He mentions polls indicating that the German population prefers the defence minister Pistorius over Chancellor Scholz. Jonathan notes that Scholz has been criticized for dithering too much.

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Scholz's speech and his stance on Ukraine

🎦 09:09.520-10:48.320
Jonathan discusses Scholz's recent speech, where he framed himself as a "prudent peace chancellor". Jonathan criticizes Scholz's stance, citing Garry Kasparov's comment that appeasing Russia has been refuted by the war's escalation. Scholz's speech also mentioned that Germany's support for Ukraine should not come at the cost of its prosperity. Jonathan connects this to the poor economic situation in Germany and suggests that it could cost the SPD votes. He makes a parallel to the US and how the Democrats failed to express a strong narrative about their economic performance.

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Possible CDU victory and right-wing shift in European politics

🎦 10:48.320-13:40.920
Jonathan predicts that the CDU will likely win the next election in Germany. He compares Merz to Nigel Farage and discusses the impact of immigration on right-wing politics. He believes that both the right and left need to grapple with immigration effectively and criticizes the Democrats' approach. He uses the example of the bipartisan immigration bill that Trump blocked to highlight the challenges of navigating immigration policies.

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Scholz's balancing act and the need for clarity in messaging

🎦 13:40.920-15:00.780
Jonathan believes that Scholz is trying to balance the different sides of the argument surrounding Ukraine, but argues that a clear, concise message is needed. He emphasizes that voters, particularly "low information voters", want clear narratives.

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Potential refugee crisis if Ukraine collapses

🎦 15:00.780-16:16.840
German MPs have been briefed about a potential refugee crisis if Ukraine collapses within the next six months. The estimate is that millions of Ukrainians could flee to the west, with two to four million potentially going to Germany. Jonathan argues that the EU needs to plan seriously for this scenario in light of Trump's plans. He reiterates that failing to support Ukraine will lead to far greater costs in terms of refugees and the welfare state.

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Boris Johnson's warning about the consequences of Ukraine's defeat

🎦 16:16.840-17:59.347
Jonathan shares a quote from Boris Johnson on GB News where he compares Putin's rhetoric about Russian language speakers in Ukraine to Hitler's. Johnson warns that a Ukrainian defeat would turn the country into a Russian vassal state and would be a major setback for democracy worldwide. Jonathan discusses the potential for British troops to be deployed to Ukraine if Trump pulls support and reiterates the dangers of a resurgent Russia for Europe's collective security. He stresses that supporting Ukraine is necessary to prevent a larger threat on Europe's borders.

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Shift towards negotiation and the need for understanding the context

🎦 17:59.347-22:01.408
Jonathan mentions a Washington Post article that suggests a growing shift towards negotiations between Ukraine and Russia involving territorial concessions. He believes this is due to the slow pace of support from the US and Europe. Jonathan reiterates the need to understand the context of decisions made by Jake Sullivan and Joe Biden, acknowledging that they may have access to information that the public is not privy to. He cites a report from The Sun about US intelligence believing that Russia had a 50% chance of using nuclear weapons in Ukraine in 2022 and argues that this context is important to understanding Biden's cautious approach.

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Trump Appointees & Ukraine - Russia is Laughing

🎦 22:01.408-22:20.487
Jonathan introduces the topic of Trump's appointments and their potential implications for Ukraine. He states that there will be a focus on two of the choices towards the end of the video.

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Russian reactions to Trump's nominations - a sign of their expectations

🎦 22:20.487-23:32.967
Jonathan highlights Russian media's reactions to Trump's nominations, particularly concerning Tulsi Gabbard. He shares clips from Russian state television that refer to Gabbard as "our girlfriend" and "a Russian agent". This reveals Russia's expectations and their belief that they have struck a "jackpot" with Trump's appointments.

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The importance of motivated reasoning

🎦 23:32.967-24:47.107
Jonathan emphasizes that motivated reasoning is necessary for Republicans to support Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for Director of National Intelligence, given Russia's mockery of her. He highlights the double standard, as those same Republicans previously criticized Gabbard when she was a Democrat. He expresses his strong disapproval of Gabbard's nomination.

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Russian mockery of Trump and Melania

🎦 24:47.107-25:28.467
Jonathan discusses Russian media's mockery of Trump and Melania. He questions the wisdom of Russia's approach, suggesting that it could backfire by pushing Trump to support Ukraine more forcefully. He connects this to J.D. Vance's stance on Ukraine and the potential for a forced negotiation on Russia's terms.

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Concerns about the political nature of Trump's appointments

🎦 25:28.467-26:58.767
Jonathan expresses concern about the highly political nature of Trump's appointments, specifically highlighting Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense and Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. He believes that Russia's mockery of Trump could inadvertently strengthen his resolve to support Ukraine, potentially leading to even tougher action against Russia. Jonathan discusses Trump's concerns about nuclear war and his potential for both escalation and anti-escalation. He concludes that Russia needs to play its cards cleverly and questions whether their current approach is the best strategy.

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Trump's past performance with hiring and team dynamics

🎦 26:58.767-28:17.207
Jonathan shares an opinion from a BBC journalist in Moscow, Steve Rosenberg, who criticizes Trump for his lack of team skills and his tendency to fire people. Jonathan agrees with this assessment, drawing on Trump's past behavior during his first presidency. He believes that Russia realizes this flaw but that their public criticism of Trump could backfire by provoking a negative reaction.

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Trump's appointments and the state of American democracy

🎦 28:17.207-29:54.987
Jonathan begins to discuss Trump's appointments, emphasizing that some of these have already been covered in previous breaking news videos. He expresses concern about the state of American democracy, citing polls that indicate a lack of concern about democracy among the American population, particularly Republican voters. He highlights the hypocrisy of those who blame the Democrats for threatening democracy while supporting Trump, who facilitated an insurrection. Jonathan shares a quote from a Republican lawmaker who praises Trump and advocates for blind loyalty.

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Trump's mission statement and the threat of autocracy

🎦 29:54.987-32:12.168
Jonathan expresses his alarm over the Republican lawmaker's comment about blind loyalty to Trump, emphasizing that it is a terrifying and dangerous situation. He believes that it doesn't matter what Trump's policies are, as long as his followers blindly embrace his "mission statement". Jonathan highlights the potential for an autocracy if this sentiment is embraced by lawmakers in Congress. He expresses his own perspective, arguing that he would always support his leader as long as they were working for the best interests of the electorate.

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Trump's choices for National Security Advisor and Senate Majority Leader

🎦 32:12.168-33:12.668
Jonathan discusses Trump's choices for key positions, starting with Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor. He notes Waltz's initial pro-Ukraine stance but acknowledges that he later towed the party line. Jonathan is pleased that Waltz at least visited Kyiv. He then moves onto John Foon as Senate Majority Leader, praising him as a pro-Ukraine and not a strong supporter of Trump. He believes that Foon's election signals a possible challenge to Trump's agenda within the Senate.

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The Senate's potential for resisting Trump's agenda

🎦 33:12.668-34:11.007
Jonathan highlights the Senate's possible resistance to Trump's agenda, as evidenced by John Foon's election, which was done through a secret ballot. He believes that senators, with their longer terms, are less likely to blindly follow Trump's directives. He contrasts this with the House of Representatives, where representatives are more likely to be subservient to Trump. Jonathan points to the fact that Rick Scott, a senator known for supporting Trump's agenda, was not even able to reach the second round of secret ballot voting.

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Potential candidates for US Special Envoy to Ukraine

🎦 34:11.007-34:50.067
Jonathan discusses the potential candidates for the US Special Envoy to Ukraine, focusing on Brian Hook as a strong possibility. He praises Hook's experience and believes he could be a positive choice for Ukraine. Jonathan then transitions to discussing the more problematic choices.

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The concerning nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense

🎦 34:50.067-38:54.035
Jonathan expresses deep concern about the nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. He considers it the most political choice ever made for this position and criticizes Hegseth's Christian nationalism. He believes that Hegseth is deeply unqualified for the role and is not pro-Ukraine. Jonathan shares an analysis of Hegseth's likely impact, arguing that he will be a strong advocate for Trump's agenda and will push his own theological agenda within the armed forces. He highlights the potential for chaos and infighting within the military if Hegseth is confirmed. Jonathan acknowledges that some viewers might be supportive of Hegseth, but insists that they don't fully understand the implications of his nomination. He also mentions that Hegseth's appointment could lead to significant changes in the Department of Defense and the military as a whole.

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The influence of Elon Musk on the Trump administration

🎦 38:54.035-43:42.975
Jonathan emphasizes the significant influence of Elon Musk on the Trump administration. He highlights Musk's anti-Ukraine stance and his position as a powerful oligarch with considerable control over the government. He discusses Musk's plans for a "Department of Government Efficiency" and his use of government Twitter accounts. Jonathan warns viewers to understand the impact of Musk's influence on the Trump administration. He cites a report that suggests Musk is threatening to fund primary challenges against any House Republicans who don't align with Trump's agenda. Jonathan underscores Musk's immense wealth and his ability to influence any situation. He points out that Musk's actions are similar to those of George Soros, who has been a target of right-wing criticism for his political involvement.

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The hypocrisy of the right-wing media regarding Musk's influence

🎦 43:42.975-45:27.495
Jonathan highlights the hypocrisy of the right-wing media regarding Musk's influence. He contrasts their criticism of George Soros with their acceptance of Musk's actions, highlighting the double standard. He notes that a lawsuit has been filed against Musk by Europe's richest man over Musk's refusal to negotiate with media outlets regarding their presence on Twitter.

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Concerns about Musk's influence and his presence at Mar-a-Lago

🎦 45:27.495-47:42.915
Jonathan discusses the growing concern about Musk's influence within Trump's inner circle. He shares a report from NBC News that alleges that Musk is behaving as if he is co-president. Jonathan criticizes Musk's actions and questions whether Republicans find this acceptable. He believes that Twitter has been a poor acquisition from a business perspective, but recognizes that Musk has gained immense influence through it.

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Trump's pick for CIA Director and the focus on retribution

🎦 47:42.915-48:54.335
Jonathan discusses Trump's pick for CIA Director, John Ratcliffe, and believes that this nomination signals a focus on retribution and using the CIA and the Department of Justice to target individuals. He transitions back to the topic of Ukraine, highlighting the concerns of Ukrainian experts about Musk's influence.

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Musk's influence as a key concern for Ukraine

🎦 48:54.335-49:12.035
Jonathan emphasizes that Ukrainian experts view Musk's influence as a major concern, potentially even more so than other Trump appointments. He believes that Musk's ideological alignment with individuals like David Sacks and Peter Thiel makes him a greater threat to Ukraine. He contrasts this with the nomination of Mike Waltz, whom Ukraine need not worry about as much.

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Concerns about Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for Director of National Intelligence

🎦 49:12.035-51:53.635
Jonathan reiterates his concerns about Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for Director of National Intelligence, citing her pro-Russia stance and her previous statements excusing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He shares quotes from experts who criticize Gabbard's nomination, highlighting the alarm within the intelligence community about her potential appointment. He also highlights the potential consequences for intelligence sharing between the US and its allies if Gabbard is confirmed. Jonathan anticipates that there will be a lot of pushback from Senate Republicans, despite the fact that they might ultimately vote for Trump's agenda.

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Vatnik soup on Tulsi Gabbard

🎦 51:53.635-57:51.722
Jonathan provides a background on Tulsi Gabbard, including her upbringing in the Science of Identity Foundation, which is described as a secretive and abusive cult. He mentions her early political involvement and her military service. He highlights her shift towards a more socialist orientation and her criticism of Barack Obama. Jonathan notes Gabbard's praise from figures like Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson. He shares information about Gabbard's presidential campaign and her endorsement of Bernie Sanders in 2016. He also mentions her lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, who called Gabbard a "favourite of the Russians". Jonathan details Gabbard's connections to figures like Rudy Giuliani, George Papadopoulos, David Duke, and Richard B. Spencer. He discusses her criticisms of the "neoliberal, neoconservative war machine" and her focus on combating Islamic terrorism. Jonathan speculates that Gabbard's harsh stance against Islam may stem from her upbringing in the anti-Islamic cult. He describes Gabbard's controversial visit to Syria in 2017, her meetings with Bashar al-Assad, and her skepticism about chemical attacks. Jonathan notes that Scott Ritter praised Gabbard's trip to Syria. He concludes by highlighting Gabbard's support for the Kremlin narrative about the Ukraine war and her criticism of the US and NATO.

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Matt Gaetz and his nomination for Attorney General

🎦 57:51.722-01:06:19.663
Jonathan discusses Matt Gaetz's nomination for Attorney General, highlighting the allegations of sexual misconduct and trafficking against him. He cites reports from NBC News that express concern within the Justice Department about Gaetz's appointment. He discusses Gaetz's history of criticizing the Justice Department and the FBI and his call to defund and abolish the FBI. Jonathan highlights Gaetz's inability to practice law in Florida due to unpaid dues and compliance issues. He notes Gaetz's resignation from Congress and his agreement with Trump to avoid the release of a damaging ethics report. Jonathan provides a background on Gaetz, including his political career, his promotion of white nationalist figures, his attendance at political rallies with the Proud Boys, and his participation in the "America First Tour" with Marjorie Taylor Greene. He mentions allegations of spending taxpayer money on personal expenses and his connection to the "stolen election" narrative. Jonathan concludes by highlighting Gaetz's support for the Kremlin narrative about the Ukraine war and his role in introducing the "Ukraine Fatigue Bill". He believes that Gaetz is a dangerous choice for Attorney General and is unlikely to be confirmed by the Senate.

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Vatnik soup on Matt Gaetz

🎦 01:06:19.663-01:09:00.902
Jonathan provides a background on Matt Gaetz, including his legal career, his promotion of white nationalist figures, and his attendance at political rallies with the Proud Boys. He shares information about Gaetz's involvement in the "America First Tour", his allegations of spending taxpayer money on personal expenses, his connection to the "stolen election" narrative, and his role in introducing the "Ukraine Fatigue Bill". Jonathan criticizes Gaetz's behaviour and believes he is not a suitable choice for Attorney General. He concludes by highlighting Gaetz's likely inability to be confirmed by the Senate.

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Trump's plan to recess appoint his cabinet

🎦 01:09:00.902-01:10:57.002
Jonathan discusses a potential plan by Trump to recess appoint his cabinet, which would bypass the Senate's confirmation process. He argues that this would be an unconstitutional and dubious use of the recess appointment power. Jonathan emphasizes that Trump's plan requires the complicity of the House Speaker, Mike Johnson, and calls on Johnson to reject it. He highlights the potential for Trump to unilaterally impose his decisions and further erode democratic processes.

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Poland's President Duda on Trump's stance on Ukraine

🎦 01:10:57.002-01:11:33.683
Jonathan shares a quote from Poland's President Duda, who is a Trump supporter, expressing confidence that Trump will not allow Russia to destroy Ukraine. He believes that Trump will prioritize the US taxpayers' money and will not want to see America lose. Jonathan concludes by highlighting the potential for populist takeovers in Canada, similar to the situation in the US.

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Wrap up

🎦 01:11:33.683-01:11:37.623
Jonathan apologizes for the length of the video, reiterates the importance of the topics covered, and signs off.

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