Fox News host Maria Bartiromo was put through the wringer by critics after she absurdly claimed without evidence that the Biden administration sees Russian President Vladimir Putin more as a partner than an enemy.
During an appearance on “Fox & Friends” Sunday morning, the Donald Trump apologist criticized President Joe Biden’s response to the war on Ukraine as “underwhelming and not enough” and declared unnamed sources told her they “feel” that the administration is cozy with the Russian dictator.
“Some people have told me over the weekend that they feel that at the end of the day this administration does not see Putin as the enemy; they see him as a partner on many issues,” she said.
The assertion was baffling to many online commentators, given Bartiromo’s unwavering support for Biden’s predecessor, who was notoriously deferential to Putin during his presidency.
As Russian aggression mounted last month, Trump sparked furor for praising Putin as “savvy” and “genius” in his strategy for invading Ukraine.
He declined to condemn the brutal autocrat or walk the remarks back even after Sean Hannity fed him multiple prompts to do so last week.
Justin Baragona on Twitter: “Fox’s Maria Bartiromo: “Some people have told me over the weekend that they feel that, at the end of the day, this administration does not see Putin as the enemy, they see him as a partner!” pic.twitter.com/lkYddMlXUs / Twitter”
Fox’s Maria Bartiromo: “Some people have told me over the weekend that they feel that, at the end of the day, this administration does not see Putin as the enemy, they see him as a partner!” pic.twitter.com/lkYddMlXUs
Though some are calling for harsher consequences still, Biden has so far imposed unprecedented sanctions targeting the Russian economy.
He’s also approved hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, including the transfer of weapons from U.S. stockpiles.
The U.S. and its NATO allies have resisted taking certain steps, such as declaring a no-fly zone over Ukraine, to avoid direct conflict with Russia that could escalate into war between nuclear superpowers.
Bartiromo’s name was trending on Twitter throughout the day as criticism mounted over her coverage.
David Corn on Twitter: “This is nuts. Her man Trump sided with Putin over his own intelligence community. And Trump recently praised his moves in Ukraine as “genius.” A question for medical science: How does her head not explode? https://t.co/u3Tuusm1Rv / Twitter”
This is nuts. Her man Trump sided with Putin over his own intelligence community. And Trump recently praised his moves in Ukraine as “genius.” A question for medical science: How does her head not explode? https://t.co/u3Tuusm1Rv
Brett Pransky on Twitter: “Every time you hear “some people say” you should immediately insert the words “what the network told me to say” in their place. The “some people” are always corporate execs.This is true right, left, and center. @MariaBartiromo https://t.co/nADWFeNvbd / Twitter”
Every time you hear “some people say” you should immediately insert the words “what the network told me to say” in their place. The “some people” are always corporate execs.This is true right, left, and center. @MariaBartiromo https://t.co/nADWFeNvbd
Joyce Alene on Twitter: “Sure. Consider Putin a partner if you want to bomb hospitals, kill children, destroy cities & invade a sovereign country. https://t.co/1gWcxcXoAL / Twitter”
Sure. Consider Putin a partner if you want to bomb hospitals, kill children, destroy cities & invade a sovereign country. https://t.co/1gWcxcXoAL
