Donald Trump’s recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington, D.C., was a prime example of his ability to captivate a crowd with his unfiltered rhetoric and controversial takes on global events. Speaking to an audience of right-wing activists, Trump doubled down on his well-worn narrative about Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, spreading falsehoods and shifting blame in a way that has grown increasingly sympathetic to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Trump spent several minutes discussing the conflict but notably omitted any acknowledgment of Putin’s role in starting the war. Instead, he continued to peddle lies about the financial and military aid provided to Ukraine by the U.S. and its European allies.
Trump falsely claimed that Europe has given $100 billion in assistance to Ukraine, while the U.S. has provided a staggering $350 billion, blaming the large sum on what he described as a “stupid, incompetent president and administration.” However, the actual figures tell a different story. Europe has pledged or already delivered $204.1 billion in aid to Ukraine, surpassing the United States’ contribution of $183 billion. Moreover, a significant portion of the U.S. aid—70% of the $183 billion—has actually stayed within the U.S. This money has been used to replenish the Pentagon’s stockpiles by replacing the weapons and ammunition sent to Ukraine with new, modern replacements. Despite this, Trump demanded that Ukraine compensate the U.S. by granting American companies access to its mineral resources, including rare earth minerals and oil. “We’re asking for rare earth and oil, anything we can get,” Trump said, expressing frustration over the situation. “But we feel so stupid,” he added, framing the U.S. as the victim in the arrangement.
Trump also used his platform to downplay the realities of the war by portraying both Ukraine and Russia as equal victims of the conflict. “It’s got to end. It’s a horrible, horrible thing to watch,” he said, [as if] lamenting the suffering on both sides. He even claimed that the war “never would have happened” if he were still in office, a statement that conveniently ignores the fact that Russia began its aggression under his presidency in 2014. Trump also mentioned his personal connections to both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin, further muddying the waters of accountability. “I’m dealing with President Zelenskyy. I’m dealing with President Putin,” he said, implying a level of equivalence between the two leaders that many find deeply troubling.
Over the past week, Trump’s rhetoric has shifted even further in favor of Russia, a trend that has been accelerating since his first election in 2016. He recently labeled Zelenskyy—a democratically elected leader—as “a dictator,” while continuing to shower praise on Putin, who rules with an iron fist, suppresses dissent, and has been accused of war crimes for his targeting of Ukrainian civilians. This pro-Putin sentiment was palpable in the CPAC audience, whose sympathies have grown increasingly aligned with Russia in recent years. When Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized Russia’s aggression in an earlier speech, the room remained eerily silent. Similarly, when House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked about potential further aid to Ukraine during a Q&A session, the audience loudly booed the idea of providing more support.
Trump’s speech at CPAC was a classic example of his ability to weave together a wide range of topics into a single, meandering narrative that keeps his base engaged. Over the course of an hour and 15 minutes, he touched on many of his favorite talking points, including his baseless claims about the 2020 election being “stolen” from him, his portrayal of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists as “political prisoners,” and his spreading of debunked conspiracy theories about vaccines causing autism. He also took aim at familiar targets, such as President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, and his potential 2024 opponent Kamala Harris. In addition, he revived his inaccurate claim that tariffs are paid for by foreign countries rather than American consumers and businesses.
What’s most concerning, however, is the broader shift in attitudes within the Republican base. Trump’s pro-Russia stance and anti-Ukraine rhetoric are no longer fringe opinions within the party. They reflect a growing divide in the U.S. over how to approach the conflict in Ukraine, with a segment of the right wing increasingly aligning itself with Putin’s authoritarian regime. As Trump continues to influence the party’s direction, his words have the potential to shape not just public opinion but also future policy decisions. For many, this trend is a worrying sign of how far the Republican Party has strayed from its traditional stance as a strong supporter of democracy and a firm opponent of authoritarian regimes like Putin’s. As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s rhetoric will undoubtedly remain a focal point of the national conversation—one that could have far-reaching consequences.
