You Say "JD Vance," I say "HELSINKI."
On This Day In 2018
In our view, there's too much focus on whom Trump picked. (Even though Vance DID call Trump "America's Hitler.")
Because regardless of his choice, it's still Donald Trump who would be our president. And it's Donald Trump who has proven himself to be a clear-and-present danger to the future of these United States.
So the next time a Trumper tries to tell you Vance is wonderful, or even relevant, respond with something which really IS relevant: "Helsinki."
We believe “Helsinki” should become a one-word description of Donald Trump’s term in the same way that “Watergate” encapsulated so much that was wrong with Richard Nixon.
This was one of the most appalling moments of Trump’s presidency. Don’t just take our word for it.
From the Right: Senator John McCain, the former GOP standard bearer, said Trump’s words were: “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory."
From the Further Right: Newt Gingrich, the former Republican Speaker of the House, called it, "the most serious mistake of his presidency".
From the Left: Senator Bob Casey, (D-PA) said Trump had "shamed the office of the presidency" with his "dangerous and reckless" reaction to Putin — "a new low and profound embarrassment for America."
From the Intelligence community: John Brennan, the former CIA Director, called him “nothing short of treasonous.”
As NPR put it: “Trump's Helsinki Bow To Putin Leaves World Wondering: Why?” For 2+ years we were confused why Donald Trump seemed so…nice to Vladimir Putin. Yes, Putin had interfered in the 2016 election on Trump’s behalf, and 12 Russian nationals had been indicted by an American grand jury for their role, and the CIA had issued a report stating, in no uncertain terms, that Russia had indeed meddled in the election. But, still...why?
OTDI 2018, Putin and Trump met at a summit in Helsinki, Finland, which went off the rails in several ways. But, most notably, the president of the United States was asked about Russia’s interference. In his answer, perhaps not surprisingly, Donald Trump sided with Vladimir Putin over our own intelligence services:
“President Putin, he just said it’s not Russia. I will say this, I don’t see any reason why it would be.” Trump, of course, ignored the mountains of evidence which said otherwise.
Also: “President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today,” gushed Trump. “He offered to have (American investigators) come (to Russia) and work with their investigators… I think that’s an incredible offer.”
"Even Trump allies were shocked" by Trump's groveling, kowtow, and capitulation.
The New Yorker compiled some of it into a short video. Click pic for link.
The worst part of all? 79% of Republicans approved of / agreed with Trump’s evaluation of the situation.
What can be done? As Frank Bruni of the New York Times advised: “If you’re disgusted by all this, what’s the best way to respond? Vote!”
Dive Deeper
The BBC chronicled the world’s whiplash from Trump’s denials
NPR has some more reactions
The GOP survey is recapped in the New York Times
Pic: Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks