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MaddowBlog-White House's Witkoff vouches for Russia's trustworthiness on Iran and alleged war assistance
Confronted with evidence of Russia aiding Iran, Team Trump has shrugged, boosted Russia’s economy and vouched for Moscow’s reliability.
"Witkoff’s on-air comments came a day after Trump said that he had a 'positive call' with Putin and that the Russian leader 'wants to be helpful' and 'very constructive.'
— Khashoggi's Ghost (@urocklive1.bsky.social) 2026-03-11T20:34:26.586Z
The American president didn’t specify for whom Putin wants to be helpful and constructive."
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/white-houses-witkoff-vouches-for-russias-trustworthiness-on-iran-and-alleged-war-assistance
There’s ample speculation as to how this happened, but it’s hard to overlook the reports from multiple news organizations, including MS NOW, over the weekend that Russia had provided Iran with information that could help it strike American targets. One U.S. official told MS NOW point-blank, “Russia is providing intelligence help to Iran.”.....
In the wake of the reporting, the president and his team not only expressed public indifference to the news that Russia was assisting Iran, the Republican administration also extended a new reward to Vladimir Putin’s regime, temporarily easing oil sanctions on the country.
If that weren’t quite enough, one of the key figures on Trump’s foreign policy team went even further on Tuesday. MS NOW reported that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff appeared on CNBC and emphasized that Russian officials have denied the allegations.
Witkoff went on to say of the Russian officials, “We can take them at their word.”
So as far as Team Trump is concerned, when confronted with evidence that Russia is aiding Iran during the war, the proper response is to (a) shrug; (b) boost Russia’s economy; and (c) vouch for Moscow’s trustworthiness.
Witkoff’s on-air comments came a day after Trump said that he had a “positive call” with Putin and that the Russian leader “wants to be helpful” and “very constructive.”
The American president didn’t specify for whom Putin wants to be helpful and constructive.
Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware appeared on MS NOW this week and said, “The clearest winner from this war in Iran is Russia.” Soon after, The Wall Street Journal reported that Putin “can barely conceal a smirk” as the war continues.
In the wake of the reporting, the president and his team not only expressed public indifference to the news that Russia was assisting Iran, the Republican administration also extended a new reward to Vladimir Putin’s regime, temporarily easing oil sanctions on the country.
If that weren’t quite enough, one of the key figures on Trump’s foreign policy team went even further on Tuesday. MS NOW reported that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff appeared on CNBC and emphasized that Russian officials have denied the allegations.
Witkoff said Russian officials told President Donald Trump on a call [Monday] that ‘they have not been sharing’ the information.
Witkoff added that Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, ‘reiterated the same’ on a call with himself and Jared Kushner, one of Trump’s sons-in-law, whom the president named as a ‘special peace envoy.’
Witkoff went on to say of the Russian officials, “We can take them at their word.”
QUINTANILLA: Do we think the Russians have shared intel about US military assets, and if so, why would we be giving waivers on oil sanctions?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-03-10T16:08:53.733Z
WITKOFF: I can tell you that on the call with POTUS, the Russians said they have not been sharing. That's what they said. We can take them at their word.
So as far as Team Trump is concerned, when confronted with evidence that Russia is aiding Iran during the war, the proper response is to (a) shrug; (b) boost Russia’s economy; and (c) vouch for Moscow’s trustworthiness.
Witkoff’s on-air comments came a day after Trump said that he had a “positive call” with Putin and that the Russian leader “wants to be helpful” and “very constructive.”
The American president didn’t specify for whom Putin wants to be helpful and constructive.
Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware appeared on MS NOW this week and said, “The clearest winner from this war in Iran is Russia.” Soon after, The Wall Street Journal reported that Putin “can barely conceal a smirk” as the war continues.