Staff Reports
The irony of Kellyanne Conway’s recent move to work as a lobbyist for a Ukrainian oligarch seems to have escaped many within the Trump camp. Just months away from a pivotal presidential election, where the prospects of Donald Trump potentially scaling back U.S. involvement in Ukraine have garnered much attention, Conway’s decision raises a few eyebrows—and not in a good way. After all, it’s hard to square the loud cries for “America First” with the cozy partnership Conway is forging with Victor Pinchuk, a billionaire who’s been known to play both sides of the aisle.
Pinchuk is not just any average mogul; he’s a prominent figure who has written a check or two to various political causes, including $13 million to the Clinton Foundation. That’s right, a friendly neighborhood Clinton donor. Much like a two-faced poker player, he’s played the game from both the Republican and Democratic decks. Conway’s contract, rumored to be around $50,000 a month, suggestively places her in the middle of interests that could counteract the isolationist sentiments championed by Trump, who might be looking to dial back the support for Ukraine if he steps back into the Oval Office.
WTF KELLY?
Kellyanne Conway Makes Eye-Popping Move, Don Jr. Responds: 'A Little Too Swampy' https://t.co/eHPe4yaoMe— MommaPol (@PamelaN9099) August 6, 2024
The reaction from Trump’s circle was swift—and, quite frankly, understandable. Donald Trump Jr. expressed what many are feeling: confusion. It is one thing to advise an influential ex-president, but it’s another to cash in on connections at a time when the party’s base is tightening its grip around foreign policy. Trump Jr. articulated the sentiment that this situation is decidedly “too swampy” for many who were hoping the previous administration would drain the political cesspool rather than dive into it.
Conway’s new gig aims to bolster U.S.-Ukraine relations and paint them as heroes in their never-ending battle against Russia. But let’s hold the applause for a moment; one has to wonder whether this new position is shaped more by her personal contacts and financial incentives than by genuine patriotic fervor. Lobbying lawmakers to support Ukraine while flaunting photos with Trump has the appearance of a spectacle meant to bolster her own position rather than serve the interests of American voters who are growing weary of overseas entanglements.
The reception from Trump loyalists signals a deeper problem: they aren’t simply against foreign aid but are also becoming wary of any potential backdoor dealings that prioritize profits over principles. For many, the notion of supporting Ukraine in this manner, particularly through an association with an oligarch with such a murky past, feels like a betrayal of the grassroots elements that made the Trump campaign successful in the first place. If Trump hopes for a second term, he may want to remind his inner circle that steering clear of swampy waters might just be the best course of action.
