Former adviser to Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, has appeared to praise Russian President Vladimir Putin for being “anti-woke” and not allowing Pride flags to fly in Russia.
On his War Room podcast last night, Bannon talked with private military contractor Erik Prince. The two men suggested that Putin’s action in Ukraine was fully understandable, given that Ukraine has indicated it wishes to join NATO (a “deadbeats” organization, according to Bannon).
“NATO expansion, as bad as that is, it’s the EU later, trying to force into the Ukraine… that would be the equivalent … of China coming here and signing a defense pact with Mexico … right on our border and up against our grille,” argued Bannon.
Related: Trump praises “genius” Putin, and his niece Mary is having none of it
The conversation moved on to Russia being “anti-woke”.
Bannon questioned whether it would be better if the US cultivated an allyship with Russia, with whom he said it had more in common than with China. However, he said such a notion went against the views of “woke America.”
“Putin ain’t woke. He is anti-woke,” Bannon said.
“The Russians … still know which bathroom to use,” Prince responded.
“They know how many — how many genders are there in Russia?” Bannon said.
“Two,” Prince replied.
“They don’t have the flags, they don’t have the Pride flags outside of their—” Bannon continued.
“They don’t have boys swimming in girls’ college swim meets,” Prince said.
“How savage. How medieval,” Bannon responded, archly.
Steve Bannon and Erik Prince say we should be supporting Russia because Putin is anti-woke and has no tolerance for LGBTQ. pic.twitter.com/qzHl2TkwxJ
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) February 24, 2022
Although Pride flags are not technically banned in Russia, the country has an anti-propaganda law that bars anything promoting “alternative lifestyles” to minors. The law has been used to ban Pride marches and authorities have detained activists displaying rainbow flags.
Related: Steve Bannon’s sugar daddy is having a very rough week
Bannon did say he hopes Ukraine “self-determines. Go for it,” but said he did not believe the US should become involved in what’s going on.
You can watch the full interview here, with the conversation on “wokeness” starting around the 1hr 24-minute mark.
Shortly after the interview, Russia did indeed start its long-expected invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin announced he was launching a “special military operation” to achieve the demilitarisation and “denazification” of Ukraine.
Airstrikes followed in several Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is himself Jewish, had earlier dismissed Russian’s claim about his country being Nazis. He pointed out Ukraine lost 8million people fighting the Nazis in World War II: “How could I be a Nazi?”
Bdavid
This man and anyone who supports DJT are TRAITORS as Russia is NOT an ally the would love to see America fall! They are playing right into Putin’s hands! I know that if roles were reversed from the GOP to the democrats you’d hear Faux News screaming and yelling how anti-American they are and how they are traitors and blardy blar blar! I’m sooo glad DJT is not president as if he was he would of done NOTHING to stop Putin from doing what he is doing and the GOP would go along with him! I do hope that DJT does get criminally charged and let’s see how many of the people that support him now continue to support him!
Mister P
Why do these right wing nuts hate America and it’s freedoms.
Cam
This is the real reason Republicans love Russia. It’s a nearly all white country that enshrines bigotry and hate in it’s laws, and the wealthy steal the money to line their pockets while the poor suffer.
Russia is the Republican dream.
Mack
Nailed it.
SFMike
Exactly!
Toofie
On point!
Eternal.Cowboy
I can wait for the SamB clown are to roll up and try to spin this one.
Eternal.Cowboy
uhhh can’t not can.
white-queer-african
Eternal.Cowboy you beat me to it.
SamB aka SammyB, BarryM, BoneyM WTF ever! Steve Bannon reminds me of a married dirty old man that molested me when I was 5 years old.
cuteguy
This monster Bannon just proves how weak the current DNC leadership is. If a Democrat came out and supported that dictator Putin, the whole Democratic Party would be labeled as communists by the GQP. We need stronger leadership and more effective branding and communication. That stupid red wave will take place this year bc of the weak and ineffective leaders of the DNC. May God help us all
SFMike
You are so right. The DNC has no idea of how to get across any kind of message and the left is left being branded as the party of wokeness and weakness to the point the public never gets a chance to hear its platform and programs that are aimed at helping the working class and poor. We have needed a third party for a long time but its too late now as we slip into white nationalist Christofascism to mirror the values of the Russian autocracy that the right so wants to emulate.
THAT Steve
How do they miss the good old days and still prefer Russia to the US?
Mr. Stadnick
This vile thing seems to be a human/ogre hybrid.
Prax07
GOP is evil, these turds prove it with what they say daily.
Kangol2
Isn’t this scrofulous, racist, anti-LGBTQ monster, who was convicted of scamming donors to Don the Con’s “Wall” before the Orange Oaf pardoned him currently under indictment for defying a Congressional subpoena concerning Don the Con’s attempted January 6, 2021 coup?
moretruth
How is that drunk even still alive?!?
wiccanboy
If Bannon and Tucker and Trump love Putin so much go live in Russia you Traitors
SFMike
Why when they can so easily convince white nationalist Christofascists that importing Russian style autocracy here will give the right all the power they need to crush American diversity and especially gay culture, a favorite boogeyman of fascists the world over.
Jon in Canada
Remember when treason was punishable by firing squad or hanging?
Oops, I forgot, it’s not treason if you’re a white breeding Christian republican.
JRamonMc
If Donald were to get back in office again, these clowns would just hand the keys over to Putin.
inbama
Actually, Trump didn’t start this.
American evangelicals like Franklin Graham have been touting Putin as the savior of Christianity for nearly a decade.
barryaksarben
Erick Prince who makes his sister seem like the sweet one in comparison as all she did was try to stop all monies going to handicapped kids education while he will kill innocent women and children for money. I wonder how many of their pets he killed. And they come from a SUPPOSED christian family. But in todays American that is what passes for christianity. AND Bannon is a pus filled gasbag skintag sadist. Both probably bought and paid for by Putin who has all that oil money to waste buying trash
scotty
bannon is a walking, talking skin tag.
johncp56
you are being Kind
johncp56
the majority of the GOP in his words may I use the C word harshly
humble charlie
I thought I saw Bannon on a street corner holding up a sign that read “Will Betray America for Food”