Trump’s conspiracy beliefs threaten freedom worldwide

Do you believe Ukraine is at fault for its war with Russia? Do you believe President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a dictator who was not fairly elected by the people he now rules? Do you believe Russia has a right to defend itself from potential NATO aggression, even though NATO has neither the political will nor historical precedent of invading other countries? If so, you may be a victim of Russian disinformation.

Personally, I would normally not care if someone was a victim of such a disease. It does not affect me, and it only marginally affects Ukraine, as the majority of people who oppose further aid to Ukraine are well aware that Ukraine is not at fault. The issue is a prominent figure has fallen to this terminal illness: President Donald Trump.

Given his recent choice for Director of National Intelligence, this is not a surprising development, but it is an alarming one nonetheless. The idea the future of a free people (who desire sovereignty, contrary to what Americans who parrot Russian talking points say) can be decided by two entirely separate countries is repulsive.

Among these two countries is one that is disturbingly authoritarian and another with a disturbing level of admiration for authoritarianism among its far-right movement. I oppose authoritarianism because it tends toward selfishness and, therefore, evil.

One need not look deeply to discern the source of our president’s allegiances – Putin complimented Trump, while Zelenskyy resisted him. Furthermore, Zelenskyy made the unwise, albeit very understandable, move of calling Trump out for being susceptible to Russian propaganda – a claim that is accurate given POTUS’s willingness to trust a bot on X more than his own intelligence community.

Even if the Ukraine war were to end tomorrow, the injustice would not end. Dissidents will be jailed and executed, even for “crimes” that fall far short of freedom fighting. Even amongst those continuing their normal lives, rights will be severely curtailed. There is a reason many Ukrainian units are fighting against overwhelming odds while entire Russian formations have retreated at the slightest signs of resistance. Sadly, the sheer numbers on the Russian side mean there are usually more soldiers ready to charge.

A man named Patrick Henry once said, “Give me liberty or give me death,” in a call to arms for a fledgling nation that had much lower stakes regarding personal freedoms and liberties. I understand that statement will trigger some supposed patriots, but it does not change the fact that Ukrainians face much higher stakes today with Russian occupation than Americans faced in 1776 under British control.

France supported us then, helping deliver key victories when it mattered. Ironically, France is the one country willing to send troops to support Ukraine after the war, while America is gearing up to not just abandon Ukraine, but actively support its adversary.

I will concede there are decent arguments for negotiating a ceasefire or treaty to end the war now, but let me be clear: these arguments are not moral ones. The reasonable arguments I have heard are selfish from an economic perspective, which I grant is a perspective every country must take from time to time.

The fact of the matter is ordinary Ukrainians are fighting because they believe what they may lose to Russia is worth more than the risk to their lives. Thus, while Hegseth and Trump may claim they are saving lives (a grossly oversimplified claim for reasons stated above), they are sacrificing something worth far more: freedom. Basic freedoms for those in the occupied territories, and freedom from fear for those living throughout the rest of Ukraine.

Given Patrick Henry’s words, we used to understand that sentiment. Although we applied this selectively and counterintuitively, we made no secret of the fact we believed freedom was, at times, worth dying for. However, something changed in the past 10 years.