Madison Cawthorn Republican legislator describes Zelensky as a “thug” and the Ukrainian government as “very nasty.”
Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina recently referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “thug” and the Ukrainian government as “very nasty,” attacking the country and its leader while Russia invades Ukraine.
Cawthorn’s remarks echoed previous President Donald Trump’s adulation for Russian President Vladimir Putin, but they contrasted sharply with the US’ strong bipartisan support for Ukraine.
Republicans slammed his remarks right away.
“To my House colleague, I would push back and say that Ukraine is not invading Russia,” Iowa Senator Joni Ernst stated. “Russia is encroaching on Ukraine.”
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina remarked, “Like 90% of the country is with Ukrainians and opposes Putin.” “The one thing I want you to know when you see a member of Congress say things like this is that they’re outliers.”
Cawthorn’s anti-Ukraine views were also slammed by two Republican House candidates in North Carolina.
“I don’t understand how somebody in a position of power in the United States could brand Zelensky a ‘thug’ when Ukraine is being attacked so viciously,” Michele Woodhouse said.
“Let’s be clear about something. Vladimir Putin is the thug “Chuck Edwards, a state senator, took to Twitter to express his displeasure with the situation. “We must come together as a country to pray for President Zelensky and the courageous Ukrainian people who are fighting for their lives and independence. Anything less is antithetical to what America stands for.”
Cawthorn made the remarks to a gathering of supporters in Asheville, North Carolina, last weekend, according to veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove of the Wall Street Journal. WRAL, a CNN affiliate in Raleigh, then broadcasted a video of Cawthorn performing them.
In the video, Cawthorn says, “Remember that Zelensky is a thug.” “Keep in mind that the Ukrainian government is really corrupt and nasty, and it has been promoting woke ideology.”
Cawthorn’s statements were made at an undisclosed time and location, according to CNN. Following the claims, Cawthorn took to Twitter to clarify his position on the disagreement.