For reference: Trump spent more than four years undermining Ukraine and promoting Russian interests

[EarlG]

When you hear idiots trying to make the "Putin would never have invaded if Trump were president" argument...

Trump's campaign manager was a pro-Putin stooge who previously helped the Kremlin install a puppet government in Ukraine.

Trump's former campaign chief worked for an anti-NATO party and a politician who fled the country amid charges of corruption and collusion with Russia.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/what-did-ex-trump-aide-paul-manafort-really-do-ukraine-n775431

Trump stated that Putin was a stronger leader than the U.S. president.

During the forum — where the candidates appeared separately in front of an audience made up largely of veterans — Trump suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a better leader than President Barack Obama.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-putin-leader-obama-military-town-hall/story?id=41936057

Trump had the Republican Party platform changed to water down support for Ukraine.

Diana Denman, a Republican delegate who supported arming U.S. allies in Ukraine, has told people that Trump aide J.D. Gordon said at the Republican Convention in 2016 that Trump directed him to support weakening that position in the official platform.

https://www.npr.org/2017/12/04/568310790/2016-rnc-delegate-trump-directed-change-to-party-platform-on-ukraine-support

Trump attempted to extort President Zelenskyy by refusing to provide assistance to Ukraine.

Trump’s personal goal, however, was to hold Ukraine hostage and risk the lives of its people and soldiers until Zelensky would agree to stand in front of a television camera and lie for the benefit of one Donald J. Trump.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/01/30/trump-impeachment-blackmail-extortion-conspiracy-column/4612952002/

After Russia was expelled from the G8 for invading Crimea, Trump repeatedly praised Putin on the world stage and publicly stated that he wanted Russia back in the G8.

The UK and Canada have opposed Russia's return to the G7, deepening a rift over US President Donald Trump's wish for the country to rejoin. ... The president said the G7's "outdated group of countries" should be expanded to include others, including Russia.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52885178

Trump publicly stated that he trusted Putin more than he trusted U.S. intelligence agencies.

In a statement issued by his Save America campaign, Mr Trump also said he would trust Russia over "sleezebags" and "lowlifes" [in] the US intelligence agencies.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/donald-trump-says-he-trusts-vladimir-putin-more-than-us-intelligence-and-asks-joe-biden-to-send-his-warmest-regards/ar-AAKVqyd

Trump repeatedly undermined NATO...

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Trump’s European tour was how much the tone of near-docile respect to Putin, and to Russia, stood in stark contrast to the insults he dished out over the previous six days to the EU, his declared foe, and to Nato, May and Angela Merkel.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/16/trump-shows-trusts-ex-kgb-agent-putin-more-than-us-intelligence

...to the point where he was threatening to completely pull the U.S. out of the treaty, which would have been Putin's dream scenario.

Donald Trump was considering pulling out of Nato and cutting the US’s alliance with South Korea if he won the 2020 election, according to an account of his private meetings with top aides.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-nato-south-korea-book-b1883457.html

Even now Trump is sitting on the sidelines cheering on Putin as he invades Ukraine.

Less than a day after Putin ordered Russian troops to enter parts of Ukraine he claims are independent, Trump went on a conservative radio show and called the move "genius."

https://local12.com/news/nation-world/former-president-donald-trump-applauds-russian-president-vladimir-putin-action-toward-ukraine-calls-it-genius-russia-invasion-conflict-attack-invade-kremlin-army-tanks-peace-independent-land

Putin didn't need to invade Ukraine when Trump was president because Trump was already giving him everything he wanted on a silver platter. If Trump had won re-election, there's a good chance that he would have actually tried to pull the U.S. out of NATO, which would have left Europe completely at Putin's mercy. Why would Putin invade Ukraine when there was a chance that could have happened?

Putin only chose now to invade because after four years of Trump's weak leadership, Biden was rebuilding international support against Russia. Putin's invasion is an act of desperation.

[uponit7771]

1. K&R, The Dark Legion; Russia, MAGA and China *DO NOT* believe in democracy one iota

[erronis]

35. Exactly. Democracy gets in the way of running a country the way THEY want it run.

Capitalism is also a nasty economic model when paired with autocrats - they go so well together.

The New Deal under FDR set the beginning of a US society with more social and economic fairness. Does not mesh well with pultocrats/oligarchs/entitled brats.

[uponit7771]

37. +1, if Putler and Xi had what people wanted they wouldn't have to tell anyone to join them

[dalton99a]

2. Indeed.

[KS Toronado]

18. On your bottom photo

The look on IQ4.5's face says Putler just chewed his ass out.

[PatSeg]

33. Yeah, Putin is like a father figure for him

and we all know that Trump has major "Daddy" issues. Meanwhile, Putin looks smug and triumphant.

[erronis]

36. Looks more like trmp couldn't negotiate a 4" step up to the podium. Tripping and grimacing.

What a sorry character all of those RWNJs have selected as their Dear Leader, their messiah, their get-out-of-jail card.

I guess the human race is still sorting out the wheat and the chaff.

[newdayneeded]

44. You're right

I think the pics speak a 1000 words. Look at Obama's pics, very few are bad light, goofy looking, or fowl mood. Then look at donny's pics, VERY few are actually good pics of him in a good light, with an up-beat look. The evil just runs through his veins.

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

47. The only thing missing from that photo

is a dog collar and leash on Trump.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

3. Trump is Putin's personal asswipe.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Thank you, Americans need to be reminded

because most don't connect the dots.

[spanone]

5. TFG was a russian asset his entire term.

[Rebl2]

10. Probably

since the 1980’s. I seem to remember the Russian mafia from the 80’s and 90’s. Maybe he got involved with them back then.

[Lonestarblue]

19. He started construction on Trump Tower in 1979.

He was reported to have brought in illegal workers from Poland to work in it. Perhaps the Russian mafia helped him do that. At that time, Poland was just as the beginning of their anti-communist protests.

He also paid fines for his irregular casino banking reports involving Russians, probably also Russian mafia. He acts too much like a mafia boss to have had no interactions with a mafia, including his refusal to out anything in writing except business documents.

[AllyCat]

34. Don't forget this:

[link:https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/11/19/trump-first-moscow-trip-215842/|

[milestogo]

6. Awesome post.

Thank you!

[BeckyDem]

7. +1

[mopinko]

8. he didnt invade cuz it was a 2nd term project.

i do believe they had a deal. tdfg was smart enough to know he wouldnt get re-elected if pootie started another war.
but a 2nd term? anything goes.

[bigtree]

9. yop

also:

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Evolve Dammit]

30. traitorous SOB's

[broiles]

32. I hope Granger's opponent will publish pictures of her with Putin.

[onecaliberal]

11. Trump changed the party platform at be convention. Republicans are criminally stupid lying fucks.

[OMGWTF]

20. Rethugs didn't even have a platform in 2020 other than "Whatever Trump said."

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

48. spot-on and 100% correct!

[calimary]

12. Absolutely superb reference material in this thread.

A SUPER KEEPER!

[NNadir]

13. Putin probably relied too much on the weakening of the US that...

...Trump effected during his 4 hellish years as President and the division he created.

[Nevilledog]

14. Bookmarking

[liberalla]

15. Whoa! Excellent compilation! I hadn't heard about the possible plan to leave NATO or dump So Korea

if he got the second term. Very sobering thought there... Thank you again for all you do.

[c-rational]

16. K&R - Great compilation of facts - Bookmarking. Thanks EarlG.

[yardwork]

17. Thank you for this summary. DU rec

[Joinfortmill]

21. Putin owns Trump. It will be exposed, especially after this.

[Wild blueberry]

22. Thank you -- K&R x million

[Hekate]

23. Here's to Truth

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

[Justice matters.]

24. K & R

I request we can R multiple times if not just for this thread!!

Or, if not possible, pin this OP on DU's Front Page!

[EleanorR]

25. This needs to be tied to all Republicans who supported trump or simply remained silent

They actively supported him, remained silent, said he'd learned his lesson, pretended they didn't know and finally, they failed to convict him. This is on ALL of them.

Link to tweet

[SheltieLover]

26. Lock the slob up!

[BMW2020RT]

27. Bingo.

[gademocrat7]

28. K&R!

[Scrivener7]

29. This post is a keeper! Thanks.

[Evolve Dammit]

31. Excellent compilation Earl G

[Hugin]

38. These facts can not be repeated enough.

Along with a few others with respect to other prominent Republicans and media figures.

[kiranon]

39. Thank you for a great post.

Trying to find a way to send it to a close relative who, at least, is pro choice but falls for the propaganda every time. All I have to do is see the Republican talking points for the day, to see what email he will send next. But we do talk, and visit and I try to get him to not fall all the way. He doesn't want Trump to run again. There's some hope but not much.

[Skittles]

40. K&R

excellent analysis

[raccoon]

41. Great post. Nt

[eShirl]

42. FACTS.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

43. This nonsense TrumpSuckers are spewing

--that Trump in office would somehow prevent Putin from doing a thing Trump praises Putin for doing--is the kind of blatant belligerent ignorance & lack of logic that defines, disgraces, and ought to destroy today's Republican party.

[Martin Eden]

45. K&R for a great post!

Lays it all out in a very coherent form.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

46. Yes! There's no going back for the Orange MAGAT King. He is a liar and a traitor.