Hakeem Jeffries is talking about how Trump is embracing Russian propaganda that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that interfered in the 2016 election.
In their brief, the Trump defense said this⤵️
Their rebuttal: One doesn't exclude the other. Both could have interfered.
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In their brief, the Trump defense said this⤵️
Their rebuttal: One doesn't exclude the other. Both could have interfered.
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The problem is a subtle one.
From @TimothyDSnyder: Russian propaganda works this way. The Russian government doesn't deny that it is corrupt. They say all governments are corrupt.
If everyone is corrupt—if everyone is guilty— nobody is any worse than anyone else.
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From @TimothyDSnyder: Russian propaganda works this way. The Russian government doesn't deny that it is corrupt. They say all governments are corrupt.
If everyone is corrupt—if everyone is guilty— nobody is any worse than anyone else.
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@TimothyDSnyder So advancing the false narrative that Ukraine ALSO interfered in the election, helps pushes the Russian narrative which is "democracy is no better."
This is at the heart of whataboutism . . .
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This is at the heart of whataboutism . . .
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@TimothyDSnyder This is why when you confront the GOP with their own corruption or misdeeds, they say "What about Obama?" or "what about Hillary?"
We have cynicism and tribalism all rolled up into one.
If all leaders are corrupt, you may as well embrace your own instead of the enemy.
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We have cynicism and tribalism all rolled up into one.
If all leaders are corrupt, you may as well embrace your own instead of the enemy.
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@TimothyDSnyder It goes like this: "Trump is no choir boy, but the Democrats are no better."
Or: "He's a lying thief, but he's OUR lying thief. We prefer OUR lying thief to the enemy lying thief."
"Ukraine did it too" feed right into this propaganda.
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Or: "He's a lying thief, but he's OUR lying thief. We prefer OUR lying thief to the enemy lying thief."
"Ukraine did it too" feed right into this propaganda.
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@TimothyDSnyder Yes👇it's the height of cynicism. "Obama did it, too," is a morally bankrupt argument.
"He did something bad, so I can, too," is only uttered by those without principles.
That's one way cynicism kills democracy.
The antidote: Hold on to your principles.
"He did something bad, so I can, too," is only uttered by those without principles.
That's one way cynicism kills democracy.
The antidote: Hold on to your principles.
@TimothyDSnyder Combine "Obama did it, too," with the fact that Obama and Hillary didn't actually do any of what they are accused of, and you see the method:
Accuse innocent people of what you are doing.
Persuade voters that all politicians are corrupt.
Get away with corruption.
Accuse innocent people of what you are doing.
Persuade voters that all politicians are corrupt.
Get away with corruption.
