Ukraine War Upd. EXTRA: Trump & Ukraine

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-00:48⏩

Jonathan welcomes viewers to the channel and explains he's going to discuss Trump and Ukraine in this "Extra nuggets and tidbits" video. Jonathan expects the video to be long ("purge"!) He acknowledges that some may see his position as biased, but promises to provide evidence for his views. He plans to use a comment from a viewer as a springboard for his discussion. He also discusses the concepts of _cognitive dissonance_ and _identity_ in relation to political beliefs.

Return to top⤴️

Viewer comment about Trump's position on Ukraine and Cognitive Dissonance

🎦 00:48-07:30⏩

Jonathan reads a comment from a viewer who believes there is no credible evidence that Trump is orchestrating an anti-Ukraine position. The comment suggests that Trump is simply neutral on the issue, and criticizes Jonathan for spreading "misinformation" and "Chinese propaganda". Jonathan takes issue with the comment's assertion that there is no evidence, arguing that Trump's actions and words demonstrate a clear anti-Ukraine stance. He also defends his own position, emphasizing his commitment to providing factual information and analysis.

Return to top⤴️

Trump's business interests in Ukraine and Russia: Politico 2019

🎦 07:30-15:23⏩

Jonathan delves into Trump's history with Ukraine, citing a 2019 Politico article which describes Trump's failed attempts to build luxury resorts in Ukraine and Russia, including the Black Sea resort town of Batumi in Georgia and the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. He highlights the hypocrisy of Trump criticizing corruption in Ukraine while simultaneously pursuing business deals there. He also mentions Trump's lawsuit against journalist Timothy O'Brien, who reported on Trump's failed business ventures in Ukraine and Russia. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.

Return to top⤴️

Trump's stance on the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia: CNN 2022

🎦 15:23-19:06⏩

Jonathan moves on to discuss Trump's stance on the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, quoting a CNN article titled "Four things to remember about Trump, Ukraine and Putin". The article highlights how Trump sided with Russia when the conflict began, praising Putin's handling of the annexation and echoing Kremlin propaganda by claiming that the Crimean people preferred to be with Russia. He also cites Trump's attempts to cast doubt on Russia's involvement in the downing of MH17 in 2014, despite evidence to the contrary.

Return to top⤴️

Trump's history of military aid to Ukraine

🎦 19:06-21:45⏩

Jonathan addresses the claim that Trump armed Ukraine with Javelin missiles. While acknowledging that Trump's administration did send lethal aid, he emphasizes that it was a major reversal from the Obama administration's policy, and that Trump himself attempted to block the GOP's efforts to provide lethal aid to Ukraine during the 2016 Republican National Convention. He also recounts Trump's attempt to withhold $400 million in military aid to Ukraine in 2019 in exchange for Zelensky announcing investigations into Biden and his family's business dealings. He also mentions that this was the basis for Trump's first impeachment.

Return to top⤴️

Trump's anti-Ukraine smear campaign: CNN 2022

🎦 21:45-23:45⏩

Jonathan details Trump's anti-Ukraine smear campaign, highlighting how he repeatedly criticized the country and pushed false claims that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 US elections. He cites a quote from a diplomat who testified in Congress that Trump believed Ukraine was "a corrupt country full of terrible people". He further explains how these lies benefitted the Kremlin by both downplaying Russia's interference in US democracy and smearing Ukraine.

Return to top⤴️

Trump's undermining of Zelensky: CNN 2022

🎦 23:45-25:14⏩

Jonathan focuses on Trump's undermining of Zelensky, pointing out how he used Zelensky's need for US support as leverage to pressure him into investigating Biden. He describes how Trump's actions forced Zelensky to navigate a hostile relationship with the US, a supposed ally, during his first months in office. He quotes a professor who said that on top of dealing with the ongoing war with Russia, Zelensky was "essentially extorted" by Trump and had to devote time and energy to dealing with it.

Return to top⤴️

Trump siding with Putin over US Intelligence Agencies in Helsinki 2018

🎦 25:14-33:14⏩

Jonathan recalls the infamous Helsinki summit in 2018, where Trump sided with Putin over US intelligence agencies on the issue of Russian interference in the 2016 elections. He plays a video clip of the summit, showing how Trump embraced Putin's denial of Russian involvement and dismissed the findings of US intelligence agencies. Jonathan expresses disgust at Trump's actions, calling it "absolutely disgusting" and "the single most embarrassing performance he's ever seen on the world stage". He also notes how even some of Trump's most ardent supporters, such as Newt Gingrich, were critical of his performance at the summit.

Return to top⤴️

Trump's anti-Ukraine stance in 2023: Examples

🎦 33:14-35:23⏩

Jonathan cites evidence of Trump's continued anti-Ukraine stance in 2023, referencing a July 2023 article where Trump called for conditioning aid to Ukraine on investigations into the Biden family. He highlights how Trump's stance remains transactional, with aid to Ukraine being used as a bargaining chip for personal gain. He notes that Trump hasn't changed his tune since the Zelensky blackmailing scandal in 2019.

Return to top⤴️

David Frum's article on Trump's Pro-Russia ties (The Atlantic)

🎦 35:23-39:26⏩

Jonathan brings up an article by David Frum in The Atlantic, which explores Trump's pro-Russia ties. He cites a quote from Kevin McCarthy, who, in 2016, stated that he believed Putin paid both Rohrabacher and Trump. McCarthy later retracted the statement, but Frum argues that it reveals the GOP's early awareness of Trump's pro-Russian leanings. Jonathan goes on to describe how Trump's ascendancy within the GOP led to a shift in the party's attitude towards Russia, with many Republicans adopting a more pro-Russia and pro-Putin stance. He highlights the role of Tucker Carlson in promoting pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian messages to a conservative audience, and how his success inspired other conservative commentators to follow suit.

Return to top⤴️

Anne Applebaum on Trump's efforts to make Ukraine lose (The Atlantic)

🎦 39:26-41:54⏩

Jonathan examines an article by Anne Applebaum in The Atlantic, focusing on Trump's efforts to make Ukraine lose the war. He points out how Donald Trump Jr. routinely attacks legislators who vote for aid to Ukraine and suggests that they should be primaried. Trump Jr. has also argued that the US should cut off aid to Ukraine as a means of forcing them to negotiate with Russia, essentially advocating for a Ukrainian defeat. Jonathan argues that Trump shares his son's views on Ukraine, despite rarely speaking about the issue publicly. He explores potential motivations for Trump's desire to see Ukraine lose, suggesting that it could be driven by a desire to harm Biden, a belief that Putin will help him win the 2024 election, or a desire to strike deals with Putin that would benefit him personally.

Return to top⤴️

Republicans blocking aid to Ukraine: Various articles

🎦 41:54-44:45⏩

Jonathan presents further evidence of Republicans blocking aid to Ukraine, citing a February article by Gideon Rachman in the Financial Times which argues that Republicans are sabotaging Ukraine's war effort at Trump's behest. He also mentions a Sky News article that details how Trump blocked US aid to Ukraine in 2019 to help his re-election campaign. Finally, he refers to a Wall Street Journal article titled "How Trump Turned Conservatives Against Helping Ukraine", directly contradicting the viewer comment's claim of zero credible evidence for Trump's anti-Ukraine stance.

Return to top⤴️

CPAC 2024: Anti-Ukraine rhetoric from Trump supporters

🎦 44:45-52:37⏩

Jonathan discusses the anti-Ukraine rhetoric that was prevalent at CPAC 2024, quoting several attendees who expressed opposition to funding Ukraine and echoed pro-Russian talking points. He highlights the spread of pro-Putin sentiment within the Republican Party, with many attendees arguing that Putin was provoked by NATO's expansion and that the US is to blame for the war. He also mentions Senator Tommy Tuberville's pro-Putin rant, where he claimed that "Putin's on top of his game" and that the US "forced this issue" by pushing NATO eastward. He further criticizes Tuberville's statement that "there's no winning for Ukraine", arguing that it echoes the Kremlin's propaganda.

Return to top⤴️

Donald Trump Jr.'s consistent attacks on Ukraine

🎦 52:37-55:57⏩

Jonathan turns his attention to Donald Trump Jr.'s consistent attacks on Ukraine, highlighting his mocking of Ukraine aid, his claims that Ukraine is overtly corrupt, and his suggestion that cutting off aid is the only way to end the war. He connects Trump Jr.'s rhetoric to that of Viktor Orbán, arguing that it's no coincidence that they are both pushing the same anti-Ukraine message. He further argues that Trump Jr.'s views are indicative of his father's stance on Ukraine, and that anyone who believes otherwise is "sadly mistaken".

Return to top⤴️

Garry Kasparov's views on US Politicians' Pro-Putin stance and its global implications

🎦 55:57-01:03⏩
:43
Jonathan shares a clip from an interview with Garry Kasparov, former chess champion and outspoken critic of Putin. Kasparov expresses disbelief at the pro-Putin stance of some US politicians, calling their claims "outright lies" and describing how their actions are undermining America's global standing. He warns that the West's perceived weakness is emboldening Putin and that Ukraine is not his last stop, referencing Putin's own statements about expanding his ambitions to the Baltic states and Poland. He highlights the danger of Republican appeasement, arguing that it sends a dangerous message to China and North Korea. He emphasizes the need for strong US support for Ukraine, stating that "American lives will be on the line" if Ukraine loses.

Return to top⤴️

Jonathan's closing remarks on Trump's motivations and concerns about a second Trump Presidency

🎦 01:03:43-01:07⏩
:14⏩
Jonathan concludes his analysis by reiterating his belief that Trump is solely motivated by self-interest and a fascination with strongmen. He argues that Trump lacks empathy and views international relations through a purely transactional lens. He cites Trump's response to Alexei Navalny's death as an example of his narcissism and lack of concern for democracy or human rights. He expresses grave concerns about the implications of a second Trump presidency for Ukraine, stating that he has "absolutely no doubt that if he became president in 2024, that Ukraine will be screwed". He challenges viewers who support Trump to confront the evidence he has presented and prove him wrong.

Return to top⤴️

Wrap up

🎦 01:07:14-01:08⏩
:18⏩
Jonathan acknowledges that the video has been long and that he could have provided even more evidence to support his arguments. He encourages viewers to engage in respectful discussion in the comments section and thanks them for watching.

Return to top⤴️

"He [Trump] wants to make, not peace, but deals with Putin...to you have to go...all the way down the road...if Ukraine loses then American lives will be on the line".