Republican Party Has 'Homoerotic Fascination' with Vladimir Putin: Ex-UK PM

 

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently described the Republican Party’s admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “strange, homoerotic fascination.” Johnson made the comments while speaking at Fortune's Global Forum, where he addressed the evolving relationship between Russia, Donald Trump, and the GOP.

Johnson, a long-time ally of president-elect Donald Trump, shared his thoughts on the Republican stance toward Putin, noting that some GOP members view the Russian leader as embodying "manly Christianity." He bluntly dismissed this view, calling Putin "a tyrant, kleptocrat, and murderer—a very dangerous and bad man." Johnson clarified that while Trump himself was “pretty tough” on Putin during his first term, certain Republicans continue to hold a romanticized view of the Russian president, which Johnson finds concerning.

With Trump set to enter a second presidential term, speculation has grown about how his administration will handle foreign policy, especially regarding the war in Ukraine. NATO allies, wary of any potential policy shifts, are reportedly working to secure ongoing support for Ukraine despite Trump’s past comments about negotiating a peace deal with Russia. Johnson highlighted the “pernicious and dangerous talk” within some Republican circles and warned against any peace deal that could undermine freedom and democracy.

Following Trump’s recent election victory, Johnson posted on Facebook, congratulating Trump and expressing confidence in his ability to take “strong and decisive action” both domestically and abroad. He expressed optimism that Trump would continue to support democracy, referencing the president-elect’s past actions and the hope that his approach would uphold democratic principles in conflicts like the one in Ukraine.

Trump’s previous statements about quickly ending the Russia-Ukraine war have raised concerns among NATO allies, especially in light of a recent Washington Post report suggesting a call between Trump and Putin, which Kremlin officials deny as "pure fiction." Johnson warned of the “genuine risk” of a deal that might not serve democracy’s interests, concluding, “It would be a disaster for the world if Ukraine were to fall.”