Michael McFaul
Appearances
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Tech genius' image wears thin after series of errors calls DOGE competence into question
Always a pleasure to be on with you, Rachel.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Tech genius' image wears thin after series of errors calls DOGE competence into question
Well, first, it was just a rookie mistake is very generous. I've negotiated with the Russians before. They're tough negotiators. And you don't just capitulate and give them what they want before you start the negotiations. And the vice president could have clarified things today at the Munich Security Conference.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Tech genius' image wears thin after series of errors calls DOGE competence into question
He could have devoted his speech to saying what the United States position is, what the Trump administration official position is to try to clean it up. But instead, he gave a speech about how democracy is failing in Europe. He said that that was a bigger threat to Europe than Russia or China. And he said that in a room filled with generals and admirals and Ukrainian soldiers.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Tech genius' image wears thin after series of errors calls DOGE competence into question
Again, I don't need to tell you, Rachel, the irony of the Vice President of the United States, who works for President Trump, telling the Europeans that they're doing a bad job at democracy, given what we are going through right now and given what we went through four years ago, really was quite insulting for this audience.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Tech genius' image wears thin after series of errors calls DOGE competence into question
It was a great opportunity to say clearly what their position was, and instead he chose to lecture them about democracy.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Tech genius' image wears thin after series of errors calls DOGE competence into question
Definitely not a logistics decision problem. Anybody that the vice president wanted to meet with, he could. But it underscores the other message of his speech. His speech was basically adopt our interpretation of values, right? Mega values. And again, these guys, there's a big contradiction. They talk about sovereignty all the time.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Tech genius' image wears thin after series of errors calls DOGE competence into question
But when it comes to German sovereignty, they're perfectly willing to get involved. There's elections here in just a few days here in Germany. And it was not well received. I've been to this conference many, many times. I cannot recall a speech that so many people were so insulted by.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Tech genius' image wears thin after series of errors calls DOGE competence into question
Well, Rich, I spent most of my day today with Ukrainians, including soldiers. They're fighting and they fought courageously for three years. But when they hear our president say that he trusts Vladimir Putin and that he's going to do a deal with Vladimir Putin and then present it to the Ukrainian people and they experience what you are just showing your viewers, there's a lot of dissonance there.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Tech genius' image wears thin after series of errors calls DOGE competence into question
They don't trust Putin. Putin is their enemy. And it makes them very nervous when the president of the United States, who they need and rely on to continue to fight against the Russians, are saying he trusts Putin.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
Glad to be here, Rachel.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
Tragically, I see it that way. And you just presented a lot of evidence to support that hypothesis before the commercial break. And I just, this is such a sad day for me personally, as somebody who cares about democracy and vice autocracies. And I know American history, we haven't been perfect.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
We haven't always been on the side of the Democrats, but we have a long standing tradition of standing up to autocrats. Think about it. All of our enemies throughout all of our history have been dictatorships. Our most enduring allies, our strongest allies have always been democracies. And today, our president, wants to switch sides in the struggle between autocrats and Democrats.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
He doesn't want to be the leader of the free world. He wants to join the autocratic club. And I just think it's sad on a kind of ethical and moral level. But I also think this does not serve American national security interests. If he goes down this path, we will be isolated from our allies in Europe, from our allies in Asia. The rest of the world will hedge their bets and we will be alone.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
Well, this was supposed to be a good day. You know, they negotiated very hard, both sides, on this minerals deal. I'm not a big fan of it, but both sides thought it was in their interest. They thought that getting a direct meeting with the president was what Zelensky needed, because that's what everybody says. You got to do business with President Trump directly.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
And so it was their idea to fly to Washington to have this meeting and And they're just in shock. The whole country is in shock. By the way, the whole country is rallying to President Zelensky's support, just like the rest of Europe is as well. But they did not expect this. And I got to tell you, honestly, this is my opinion, not theirs.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
But we keep talking about Trump wants to do a deal to end the war. I'm not so sure that's true. I think he wants to do a deal with Putin. That's the real play, as you were just describing. And the Ukraine thing is kind of a sideshow. And if it works out, it works out.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
If it doesn't, Trump doesn't really care because there's no other way to explain all of the concessions that he has already given to Vladimir Putin, even before any negotiation. So that suggests to me that, in fact, he actually is not trying to negotiate a deal. He's trying to nurture a relationship with Vladimir Putin. And as you said, I hope the American people understand this is wrong.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
It's not in our national interest. And I think Trump is way out ahead of the people as you're polling that you just showed, just described.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
Well, I want to keep hope alive. President Trump and his team don't seem to want to be part of the free world. But I'm an American, too. I want to be part of the free world. I hope there are other Americans who believe the same as me. And I don't want them to turn this this way because I don't believe it serves America's interests.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
And by the way, there's a lot of Americans like me who think we're more than just mineral deals. We stand for more of that. So it is the fight is still on. But to your point, yes, the center of gravity has moved to Europe. I was at the Munich Security Conference. Actually, we talked at four in the morning there. I now remember. And the mood then was, well, we've got to pick this up.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
We've got to unite. We've got to stand behind the democratically elected leader of Ukraine against this imperialist dictator that has invaded his country. And tragically, for now, that's where the center of gravity for the free world is.
The Rachel Maddow Show
'Who's that good for?': Maddow connects the dots on Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia
Can't imagine being anywhere else. Thanks for having me, Rachel.