Key Takeaways:
- MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow draws a historical parallel between a U.S. Senator paid by the Nazis and MAGA’s approach to Ukraine.
- Senator Ernest Lundeen opposed aiding WWII allies and promoted taking their assets, funded by Hitler’s regime.
- Maddow links this to Trump’s recent demands for Ukraine to offer minerals in exchange for support.
- She suggests a concerning similarity in prioritizing resource gain over aiding allies under attack.
A Secret Ally of Hitler in the U.S. Senate
In the 1940s, as World War II raged, an unlikely figure in the U.S. Senate was secretly working for Adolf Hitler. Senator Ernest Lundeen from Minnesota was on the Nazi payroll, influencing American policy to support Hitler’s agenda. Maddow revealed that Lundeen used his platform to argue against aiding European allies fighting Nazi Germany.
Lundeen’s Pro-Nazi Agenda
Lundeen’s speeches and actions were shocking. He demanded that allies like England should be more grateful to America and even pay back debts from World War I before receiving further help. He went so far as to suggest seizing European islands and resources instead of providing aid while they were being invaded by Nazis.
The Stunning Truth About Lundeen
The story took an even darker turn when Lundeen died in a plane crash. Investigators found a speech in his possession, urging lawmakers not to support allies against Hitler and questioning why anyone would oppose Germany. Maddow revealed that this speech wasn’t written by Lundeen—it was crafted by Nazi agents. Lundeen had been paid by Hitler’s government to influence U.S. policy.
Drawing Parallels to Today’s Politics
Maddow then connected this historical episode to current events. She played a clip from Fox News discussing a minerals deal with Ukraine, suggesting similarities to Lundeen’s actions. Under the second Trump administration, the U.S. seemed to condition support for Ukraine on them handing over resources—a deal reminiscent of Lundeen’s approach.
A Disturbing Pattern
The comparison is unsettling. Just as Lundeen used his position to push pro-Nazi policies for personal gain, some argue that the MAGA movement is prioritizing resource extraction from Ukraine over their fight against Russian aggression. Maddow emphasized that while America once rejected such selfish tactics, the situation today feels eerily similar.
The Bigger Picture
Maddow’s analysis highlights a worrying trend in American politics—where personal or political gain can sometimes overshadow the need to support allies in crisis. Her comparison serves as a reminder of the dangers of letting self-interest dictate foreign policy, especially when nations are fighting for their survival.
This historical parallel raises important questions about the motivations behind certain political actions and the potential consequences of repeating past mistakes. As the world watches the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Maddow’s segment serves as a stark reminder of the importance of standing with allies against authoritarian regimes.