Key Republican reps: Russian propaganda has ‘infected’ much of the GOP
MSNBCApr 08
GOP House Intel Chair: GOP 'Absolutely' Repeating Russian Propaganda
The Facts
US House Intelligence Committee chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) in a Sunday interview on CNN said "it is absolutely true" that other Republicans have been repeating Russian propaganda talking points, even doing so on the House floor.
On Jake Tapper's "State of the Union," Turner highlighted how he believes other members of Congress have "incorrectly" stated that the Russia-Ukraine war is being fought "over NATO" and how it's difficult to convince them this is "an authoritarian vs. democracy battle."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Turner speaking out against the so-called "Putin wing" of his party is doing the US a great service, as there's a bipartisan coalition ready to provide necessary aid to Ukraine. House Speaker Mike Johnson should further marginalize that faction of Republicans by putting aid to a vital ally to a vote and getting it passed without satisfying any demands from pro-Russian voices.
Establishment-critical narrative
Republicans who want to waste US taxpayer money on a war that's none of our business and are speaking out against those who oppose Ukraine aid aren't Republicans at all. If they were, they'd be more concerned about domestic problems — including the invasion at the Southern border — that need funding. This isn't Russian propaganda, it's putting American interests first. Traditional "establishment" voices in the GOP and the Democratic party are both at fault.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance there will be a bilateral cease-fire or peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by May 9, 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.