Donald Trump Jr. made the erroneous claim that Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is to blame for Russian aggression toward Ukraine as the United States and other nations aim to repair a deteriorating international security situation.
Trump Jr. asked, without presenting any evidence, whether Hunter Biden's "lucrative and shady AF business dealings in Ukraine" will ultimately lead to a war with Russia.
Will it ultimately be Hunter\u2019s lucrative and shady AF business dealings in Ukraine that gets us into a war with Russia?— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1643033978
In making his claim, Trump Jr. aims to push more conspiracy theories about Hunter Biden into the mainstream.
Conspiracy theories about Hunter Biden's business dealings have been a favorite in conservative circles for some time.
A 2020 New York Post investigation published emails suggesting Hunter Biden introduced his father, President Joe Biden, to an executive with Burisma Holdings–a Ukrainian gas firm–in 2015.
The story received criticism for shaky reporting and Twitter's attempts to block the news outlet from sharing the story received criticism from Republicans who accused the tech giant of censoring conservative voices.
Many criticized Trump Jr. and accused him of downplaying the severity of the tensions, which have alarmed foreign policy experts who are working to contain the threat and respond to the Kremlin's demands.
Additionally, Trump Jr.'s remarks come just days after the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James, in a court filing, accused the Trump family business of enaging in “fraudulent or misleading” practices by misrepresenting the value of its assets.
His critics also pointed out that his assertions only serve to distract from his own family's legal troubles and the often deterential attitude his own father, former President Donald Trump, exhibited toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Will it ultimately be the Trump's shady AF business dealings in New York that gets them sent to prison?https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1485618298234494978\u00a0\u2026— The Good Doctor is VAXXED and BOOSTED (@The Good Doctor is VAXXED and BOOSTED) 1643120656
No it\u2019s your dad\u2019s obeisance to Putinhttps://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1485618298234494978\u00a0\u2026— Luba Howard (@Luba Howard) 1643071570
I think it\u2019s too late for Don Jr.\u2019s intervention. It sounds like it\u2019s time for a cozy straight jacket, and a soft, safe, padded room.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1485618298234494978\u00a0\u2026— Mystery Solvent (@Mystery Solvent) 1643050415
When Hunter's name is brought up by the right, it means the shit is about to hit the fan for them again. The #TrumpCrimeFamily can't avoid prison much longer.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1485618298234494978\u00a0\u2026— \ud83d\udc40NastyNEGirl \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@\ud83d\udc40NastyNEGirl \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1643051696
Me: Tell me you're a puppet for Russian oligarchs without saying you're a puppet for Russian oligarchs...\n\nDonald Trump Jr.:https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1485618298234494978?t=qk9eHU7e4_lysJs0pwzf3w\u00a0\u2026— Matt Fleming (@Matt Fleming) 1643076177
Jr. you are an Idiot. The only son with nefarious dealings is you. You are under both subpoena and multiple investigations. Maybe you should just Shut the Fuck Up.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1485618298234494978\u00a0\u2026— Stephen B. Kinder \ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a (@Stephen B. Kinder \ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a) 1643053378
Jr, your daddy loves your sister (more often) than you. He'd throw you in jail first to save her. Rest well. Keep that soft chin up!https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1485618298234494978\u00a0\u2026— Chris Sampson (@Chris Sampson) 1643061317
"us" ?\n\nExactly who is "us" ? Your family has a long yellow streak running down your backs and a history of hiding behind others who do the fighting for you, sonny. @DonaldJTrumpJrhttps://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1485618298234494978\u00a0\u2026— Lin (@Lin) 1643056861
Dude...\n\nFOCUS !!!!\n\nYou and Dad are about to "go through some stuff" \n\nPlan your defense and quit worrying about successful people.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1485618298234494978\u00a0\u2026— Mr.GreenEconomy \ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\udf0d\ud83c\udf0f\ud83c\udf0a\u2600\ufe0f (@Mr.GreenEconomy \ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\udf0d\ud83c\udf0f\ud83c\udf0a\u2600\ufe0f) 1643061879
Trump Jr.'s claim is especially absurd amid heightened fears that Russia will invade Ukraine as Putin masses an estimated 100,000 troops on Ukraine's border.
Russia has issued several security demands that the United States and its allies have already rejected.
Putin aims to curtail the enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), seeking to bar Ukraine from joining the alliance in a bid to assert Russia’s influence over its neighbors, aspirations that gained further prominence after Putin seized the Crimean Penninsula in a fait accompli.
Although Ukraine is not yet a member of NATO, it is partnered with the military alliance, a development that has angered Putin, who views Ukraine not as an independent nation but as land lost as a result of the end of the Cold War, which resulted in the Soviet Union's collapse and diminished Russia's superpower status.
Putin has left world leaders guessing as to whether or not he actually wants to invade Ukraine though he clearly wants NATO to curb military exercises in Ukraine and in other former Soviet satellite states, demands that have resulted in a diplomatic stalemate.
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