BLUE PRESS JOURNAL – Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) delivered a sharp rebuke to former President Donald Trump on Monday, criticizing him for swiftly endorsing Russian claims that Ukraine launched a drone attack on a presidential residence in the Novgorod region—despite a complete absence of verifiable evidence.
In a post on the social media platform X, Bacon urged Trump and his team to “get the facts first before assuming blame,” adding a pointed indictment of Russian President Vladimir Putin: “Putin is a well-known boldface liar.”
The controversy erupted after Trump claimed he was “very angry” about the alleged attack, which Moscow said involved 91 long-range drones. When pressed on whether there was any evidence to support the claim, Trump responded: “Well, we’ll find out. You’re saying maybe the attack didn’t take place? That’s possible, I guess, but President Putin told me this morning.”
That response sparked outrage from foreign policy experts and political leaders across the spectrum. For Bacon, a senior Republican notorious for his hardline approach to Russia and unwavering support for Ukraine, Trump’s naïve acceptance of Putin’s claims was not merely diplomatically careless—it was downright reckless and posed a serious threat.
“President Trump and his team should get the facts first before assuming blame,” Bacon emphasized. His statement underscored growing concern within parts of the Republican Party about the former president’s repeated deference to authoritarian leaders, particularly Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vehemently rejected the Russian claims, branding them as “a blatant fabrication crafted to justify further assaults on Ukraine.” He fiercely warned that these insidious disinformation campaigns are not just tactics but calculated attempts to sabotage peace initiatives and distort the truth on the battlefield.
Indeed, past Russian accusations of Ukrainian aggression—often debunked—have preceded intensified military offensives. Analysts say these claims are part of a strategy to shift blame and erode international support for Kyiv.
Bacon’s criticism reveals a rift in Republican foreign policy. While Trump praises Putin and downplays Russian aggression, Bacon argues for a firm U.S. stance based on truth, intelligence, and alliances.
“Trusting Putin’s word over verified facts doesn’t just mislead the public—it endangers our global standing and emboldens dictators,” Bacon said in a follow-up interview. “We can’t afford to be complicit in spreading Russian propaganda, especially while Ukraine fights for its survival.”
As the war in Ukraine drags into its third year, the fight for information has morphed into a battleground just as vital as the war front itself. Deceptive narratives, fueled by influential political figures, wield the power to twist public perception, manipulate aid decisions, and steer diplomatic efforts into uncharted territory.
Trump’s repeated reliance on uncorroborated claims from an adversarial regime raises urgent questions about judgment, foreign policy competence, and the lasting impact of rhetoric on national security.
Blue Press Journal 
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