After Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s controversial remarks on a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, Jen Rubin and Tim Mak discuss where the United States stands with our global allies.
It didn't take long for Hegseth and Vance to put both their feet in their mouth. I am thoroughly embarrassed and aghast on behalf of the United States that these 2 are in Europe representing us. Hegseth is as stupid as I thought; the Republicans who nominated him are hopefully having giant headaches. As for Vance lecturing Europe; they've seen jackasses before. I am thoroughly ashamed at how Ukraine and Zelensky are being treated. All in all, both within and without the US, this administration of horror clowns is thoroughly cringe worthy.
Hegseth and Vance are members of the exceptional/privileged class. When you are a member of that class, you are not accountable, even to your own intelligence, nor to the apparent (to others) mounting evidence for your moral depravity and your predatory political practices. And btw lying to the "parasitic class" is okay. CBK
As I posted someplace else for days now, that we are going through the saddest days in American history. We are witnessing the end of the American century, 85 years of prosperity and the end of the Pax Americana. 85 years of mostly peace in the world. Vance, and Hegseth, declared the death of democracy by, Vance, given public support to the neo nazi party in the soon to be held election in Germany and Hegseth buy giving up Ukraine to the Putin without any negotiations. America was the envy of the world, now it's the embarrassment.
Tim's reporting and insights are so vital to knowing what's really going on in Ukraine. The entire Counteroffensive team of journalists are the best. Thank you for keeping him in your stable of guests.
My heart breaks for the Ukrainians who have fought so valiantly and endured so long this unprovoked attack against their sovereignty, to be thrown under the bus like this.
Shutting down the opportunity for Ukrainian people to enter the union that Americans put in place to keep another Hitler from running over Europe. Doesn’t that go against everything American? Isn’t that why so many people died in the 1st and 2nd WW’s. When did American schools stop teaching History? Doesn’t anyone remember Social Study classes? Or reading books? How is this happening?
‘Beyond Disgusting’: Elon Musk Faces Backlash After Mocking Federal Aid Receipts As ‘Parasite Class’ While His Companies Rake In $18 Billion from U.S. Taxpayers. (link)
And so, farmers who grow food for the whole nation and sometimes the world are parasites because the government (of by for the people) subsidizes them.
It is becoming painfully obvious that we as a country elected an Autocratic Fascist régime when we went to the polls in November, 2024. Now we could have a very long discussion about why we did this, those we feel responsible, etc., etc., but the point now must be that we ARE in this fight and we simply do not have time for such discussions.
We must STOP merely reacting to this or that insanity and chaos bombshell this or that Autocratic Fascist perpetuates on America and start the process of holding them responsible for what they are doing to democracy.
We have to stop reacting and implement a direct attack on Project 2025 and those who uphold it.
FINALLY, The Contrarian mentions Ukraine. 40 million people at the mercy of Trump - but your only focus has been the US. Americans have the courts, the legislature and the states to fend off the MAGA assault. Ukrainians have no such protections.
Thank you for this very clear analysis of the relationship between a now transactional US government and all of Europe. Tim Mak gives us a very clear picture of what our new aggressive and uninformed representatives - Hegseth and Vance, ugggh - are doing to alienate, shock and terrify other nations. It's a vivid picture of a know-nothing president with dementia having no oversight over what his demented emmisaries are doing and saying in the public arena. It's going to be the longest 4 years in the history of the world. Feeling ashamed, angry, nauseous, and all of the other bad feelings.
I’m wondering where the (many) Americans who wholeheartedly disagree with the trump/musk/vance playbook of cutting off aid to Ukraine can go with their money. Are there enough Americans who would donate money towards the defense of Ukraine such that a bit of difference could be made? Where can people go to donate specifically towards defense for Ukrainians? Will there be public outrage against giving Putin such a big gift? What can we do?
Sadly, I think we're too late. I earnestly believe that under the current administration, the U.S. has already joined the ranks of "bad actor" states, alongside North Korea, Venezuela, Russia, Hungary and Iran. Moreover, it is only a matter of time before podcasters such as Jen Rubin, Heather Cox Richardson, et al will be "silenced" - although we don't yet know what that silencing will look like.
Trumps disdain for the poor, Americans in general, and the vast conclave of different religions and races that define who we are is on full display. Both Vance and Musk are racists and have Trumps approval to squash democracy in this country. Hesgeth is an alcolholic toady with self esteem issues which makes him particularly dangerous in his current position. Our stance on world issues mimics Hitlers and Europe has the experience and money to align themselves against the coming tide of fascism that is gaining relevance worldwide. I hope they will band with Ukraine and see them through to victory. We seem to be a lost cause at the moment because of the inaction of the Republican party to reign in Trump. The courts can rule but cannot enforce their findings against a sitting President without Congress. Dark times are here and unless we get an effective resistance, with the backing of voters we are toast.
It didn't take long for Hegseth and Vance to put both their feet in their mouth. I am thoroughly embarrassed and aghast on behalf of the United States that these 2 are in Europe representing us. Hegseth is as stupid as I thought; the Republicans who nominated him are hopefully having giant headaches. As for Vance lecturing Europe; they've seen jackasses before. I am thoroughly ashamed at how Ukraine and Zelensky are being treated. All in all, both within and without the US, this administration of horror clowns is thoroughly cringe worthy.
Hegseth and Vance are members of the exceptional/privileged class. When you are a member of that class, you are not accountable, even to your own intelligence, nor to the apparent (to others) mounting evidence for your moral depravity and your predatory political practices. And btw lying to the "parasitic class" is okay. CBK
As I posted someplace else for days now, that we are going through the saddest days in American history. We are witnessing the end of the American century, 85 years of prosperity and the end of the Pax Americana. 85 years of mostly peace in the world. Vance, and Hegseth, declared the death of democracy by, Vance, given public support to the neo nazi party in the soon to be held election in Germany and Hegseth buy giving up Ukraine to the Putin without any negotiations. America was the envy of the world, now it's the embarrassment.
Tim's reporting and insights are so vital to knowing what's really going on in Ukraine. The entire Counteroffensive team of journalists are the best. Thank you for keeping him in your stable of guests.
My heart breaks for the Ukrainians who have fought so valiantly and endured so long this unprovoked attack against their sovereignty, to be thrown under the bus like this.
Hegseth and Vance: “Garbage in, Garbage Out”
Wait, wait....Justin.....and piece of that garbage got stuck in my throat...🤢
Shutting down the opportunity for Ukrainian people to enter the union that Americans put in place to keep another Hitler from running over Europe. Doesn’t that go against everything American? Isn’t that why so many people died in the 1st and 2nd WW’s. When did American schools stop teaching History? Doesn’t anyone remember Social Study classes? Or reading books? How is this happening?
Get this, guys: Musk and the "parasitic class."
‘Beyond Disgusting’: Elon Musk Faces Backlash After Mocking Federal Aid Receipts As ‘Parasite Class’ While His Companies Rake In $18 Billion from U.S. Taxpayers. (link)
And so, farmers who grow food for the whole nation and sometimes the world are parasites because the government (of by for the people) subsidizes them.
Just popping in to say thank you so much for providing a transcript! And I hope we'll be hearing more from Tim.
It is becoming painfully obvious that we as a country elected an Autocratic Fascist régime when we went to the polls in November, 2024. Now we could have a very long discussion about why we did this, those we feel responsible, etc., etc., but the point now must be that we ARE in this fight and we simply do not have time for such discussions.
We must STOP merely reacting to this or that insanity and chaos bombshell this or that Autocratic Fascist perpetuates on America and start the process of holding them responsible for what they are doing to democracy.
We have to stop reacting and implement a direct attack on Project 2025 and those who uphold it.
We need this to happen NOW!
FINALLY, The Contrarian mentions Ukraine. 40 million people at the mercy of Trump - but your only focus has been the US. Americans have the courts, the legislature and the states to fend off the MAGA assault. Ukrainians have no such protections.
Thank you for this very clear analysis of the relationship between a now transactional US government and all of Europe. Tim Mak gives us a very clear picture of what our new aggressive and uninformed representatives - Hegseth and Vance, ugggh - are doing to alienate, shock and terrify other nations. It's a vivid picture of a know-nothing president with dementia having no oversight over what his demented emmisaries are doing and saying in the public arena. It's going to be the longest 4 years in the history of the world. Feeling ashamed, angry, nauseous, and all of the other bad feelings.
Thank you for this report from Tim Mak. Let’s hear more from him. Information/knowledge is power.
I’m wondering where the (many) Americans who wholeheartedly disagree with the trump/musk/vance playbook of cutting off aid to Ukraine can go with their money. Are there enough Americans who would donate money towards the defense of Ukraine such that a bit of difference could be made? Where can people go to donate specifically towards defense for Ukrainians? Will there be public outrage against giving Putin such a big gift? What can we do?
Sadly, I think we're too late. I earnestly believe that under the current administration, the U.S. has already joined the ranks of "bad actor" states, alongside North Korea, Venezuela, Russia, Hungary and Iran. Moreover, it is only a matter of time before podcasters such as Jen Rubin, Heather Cox Richardson, et al will be "silenced" - although we don't yet know what that silencing will look like.
Brilliant guest.
Trumps disdain for the poor, Americans in general, and the vast conclave of different religions and races that define who we are is on full display. Both Vance and Musk are racists and have Trumps approval to squash democracy in this country. Hesgeth is an alcolholic toady with self esteem issues which makes him particularly dangerous in his current position. Our stance on world issues mimics Hitlers and Europe has the experience and money to align themselves against the coming tide of fascism that is gaining relevance worldwide. I hope they will band with Ukraine and see them through to victory. We seem to be a lost cause at the moment because of the inaction of the Republican party to reign in Trump. The courts can rule but cannot enforce their findings against a sitting President without Congress. Dark times are here and unless we get an effective resistance, with the backing of voters we are toast.