The debate over continued assistance to Ukraine in its war with Russia has divided Republicans. Many America-First Republicans are frustrated that U.S. taxpayers are continuing to foot the bill not just for more military support for a corrupt foreign nation, but are paying billions for Ukrainian farmers, small businesses, first responders in the nation, and more. Others are growing weary of becoming entangled in protracted foreign conflicts. While some critics note all this funding is going toward the defense of Ukraine’s borders, while the U.S. Southern border remains wide open. And according to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a staunch backer of Kyiv, there is one person he believes is responsible for planting the anti-Ukraine seed among the Republican Party.
“I think the demonization of Ukraine began by Tucker Carlson, who in my opinion ended up where he should have been all along, which was interviewing Vladimir Putin,” McConnell said last week during a press conference, referring to the former Fox News host’s interview with the Russian leader.
"He had an enormous audience, which convinced a lot of rank and file Republicans that maybe this was a mistake," McConnell added.
Mitch McConnell blames Ukraine’s money problems on Tucker Carlson. As if supporting them with endless funds isn’t already unpopular. pic.twitter.com/zPtBPa2lfT
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) April 24, 2024
In a bizarre rant after Senate passage of the huge $95 billion foreign aid bill, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell blamed journalist Tucker Carlson for Republican opposition to the overseas giveaway.
— Ron Paul (@RonPaul) April 24, 2024
The top Senate Republican implied that Carlson's reporting on rampant… pic.twitter.com/HeeyTDs2Pr
On "Face the Nation," McConnell doubled down on his comments, claiming the "isolationist movement" within the GOP "began with Tucker Carlson."
"He has a huge — he had a huge audience among rank-and-file Republicans. And I think it was very destructive and very impactful on regular Republican voters and created a big problem."
.@LeaderMcConnell says the isolationist movement and the push against U.S. aid to Ukraine "began with Tucker Carlson" and "was very destructive" on "regular Republican voters."
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) April 28, 2024
"I'm not going to give any advice to our candidate in the presidential election,” McConnell says, when… pic.twitter.com/9wa2a6ksWX
Carlson defended his interview with Putin during a conversation with The Blaze's Glenn Beck earlier this year.
"I’ve been accused of being pro-Putin, and I’m not,” he said. “And if I was, that’s OK, too. I’m an adult man, an American citizen, I can like or dislike anyone I want. I can have any opinion I want.”