The GOP's Putin Wing: How Trump and His Allies Have Embraced the Russian Leader

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, is not a friend of the United States. He has invaded and annexed parts of Ukraine, interfered in American elections, cracked down on dissent and human rights, and opposed US interests and allies around the world. Yet, despite these facts, a significant faction of the Republican Party has developed a fondness for Putin, influenced by the former president Donald Trump and his media allies.

In this article, we will examine how and why some Republicans have become admirers of Putin, what are the implications for US foreign policy and national security, and what are the challenges for the GOP's future.

The Trump Effect

The main reason for the GOP's shift on Putin is Trump himself. As a candidate, president and ex-president, Trump has repeatedly praised Putin as a strong, savvy and genius leader. He has also echoed Putin's ideology, by harshly criticizing NATO, Western liberalism and L.G.B.T. rights. Trump has even suggested that Putin should release negative information on his political rival, Joe Biden.

Trump's admiration for Putin has had a trickle-down effect on some Republican voters, who began to view Putin more favorably than they viewed Biden, Kamala Harris or Nancy Pelosi. A YouGov poll in January 2022 found that Republicans viewed Putin more favorably than they viewed Biden. Another poll by Pew Research Center in February 2022 found that 38% of Republicans said they had a lot or some confidence in Putin to do the right thing regarding world affairs.

The Fox News Factor

Another factor that has contributed to the GOP's Putin wing is Fox News, the most popular news source for Republican voters. Fox News hosts like Tucker Carlson have suggested that American liberals represent a bigger threat than Putin. Carlson has also promoted a false rumor, popular in Russia, accusing the US of funding biological weapons labs in Ukraine.

Fox News has also given a platform to pro-Putin voices within the GOP, such as Mike Pompeo, Trump's former secretary of state, who called Putin "a very talented statesman" who has "lots of gifts" in a Fox interview. Pompeo has also downplayed the threat of Russian aggression in Ukraine, saying that "the Ukrainians will ultimately figure this out".

The Koch Industries Connection

Another corporation that seems to have a stake in the GOP's Putin wing is Koch Industries, one of the largest private companies in the US and a major donor to Republican causes. Koch Industries has been lobbying against sanctions on Russia since 2014, when Putin annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Koch Industries has also been involved in several business deals with Russian companies, including a joint venture with Rosneft, Russia's state-owned oil giant.

Koch Industries has also funded several think tanks and advocacy groups that have pushed for a softer stance on Russia, such as the Cato Institute, the Heritage Foundation and Americans for Prosperity. These groups have argued that sanctions on Russia are counterproductive, that NATO is obsolete and that the US should cooperate with Russia on issues like energy and terrorism.

The Implications and Challenges

The GOP's Putin wing poses serious challenges for US foreign policy and national security. It undermines the bipartisan consensus that Russia is an adversary that needs to be deterred and contained. It weakens the US alliance with NATO and other democratic partners. It emboldens Putin to pursue his expansionist ambitions and interfere in US domestic affairs.

The GOP's Putin wing also poses serious challenges for the GOP itself. It alienates many traditional Republicans who see Putin as a threat and an enemy. It creates divisions within the party between hawkish and dovish factions. It damages the party's credibility and reputation among American voters who value democracy and human rights.

The GOP's Putin wing is not representative of the entire party or its voters. Many Republican leaders and lawmakers have condemned Putin's invasion of Ukraine and called for strong sanctions and support for Ukraine. Many Republican voters say they wish the Biden administration would take more aggressive action to help Ukraine. But as long as Trump remains a leading contender for the 2024 Republican nomination, the party's Putin-friendly faction may not remain on the fringe.