Trump’s Priorities: Russia Over Red Waves, Apparently.

Published on: Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:52:04 GMT
Original Story: Amid Midterm Crunch, Trump Advisers Took Time to Help Russia-Aligned Government – The New York Times

Alright, settle in, buttercups. Pour yourself another lukewarm coffee, because we’ve got a fresh, steaming pile of “Are you kidding me?” courtesy of the folks who brought you ‘America First’™.

When Midterms Take a Backseat to… Other Stuff

So, picture this: it’s 2022. The midterms are, ostensibly, a big deal for the Republican Party. Like, ‘gain control of Congress, ideally by a landslide so we can all stop pretending unity is a thing’ big deal. You’d think every spare brain cell, every political operative, every campaign intern, would be laser-focused on flipping districts, mobilizing voters, and, you know, actually winning elections back home. The stakes were sky-high; the GOP was salivating at the prospect of taking back both chambers, turning Biden into a lame duck, and generally making everyone else’s lives a bit more… difficult. It was supposed to be a red tsunami, a veritable crimson tide that would wash away the stench of progressive policies and usher in a new era of gridlock and performative outrage.

But apparently, for a select cadre of Donald Trump’s closest advisors, there were more pressing engagements. Specifically, engagements in Albania, helping out a political party deemed, and I quote from The New York Times, “Russia-aligned.” Yes, you read that right. While the Grand Old Party was battling for every single precinct in Peoria and Pensacola, some of its most influential figures were apparently globe-trotting to the Balkans. The New York Times, bless their earnest hearts for digging into the receipts, dropped this little bombshell, detailing how these advisors – the very people you’d expect to be steeped in the glorious fight for American political dominance – found time to jet off and lend a hand to foreign political operatives. Not just any foreign operatives, mind you, but those connected to the Albanian Democratic Party, which has cultivated ties to Russia and whose former leader, Sali Berisha, is under U.S. sanctions for corruption. One has to wonder what the campaign war room looked like. “Sir, we need to strategize on Ohio’s 7th congressional district, and we’re losing ground in Pennsylvania!” “Hold that thought, Chad, I’m busy crafting talking points for the Albanian Democratic Party’s mayoral candidate in Himara. Apparently, they really need our expertise on… local park beautification, I assume, and perhaps how to properly execute a grievance-fueled rally. Crucial stuff, really.”

“America First,” Unless There’s a Better Offer Elsewhere, I Guess?

This is where the whiplash really sets in. For years, the rallying cry from the former President and his loyalists has been “America First.” It’s been plastered on hats, blared from podiums, and weaponized against anyone perceived as a “globalist” or insufficiently patriotic. Remember 2016? The entire platform, practically, was built on the idea that every other nation was taking advantage of us, that our leaders were too busy pandering to foreign interests, and that it was high time we put our own house in order, damn it! He ran on a promise to staunch foreign interference in U.S. affairs and prioritize domestic well-being above all else. He even famously declared during his 2016 Republican National Convention acceptance speech, “Americanism, not globalism, will be our creed.” He routinely lambasted opponents, particularly Hillary Clinton, for alleged foreign entanglements or for not putting the U.S. first, implying that any focus beyond our borders was a betrayal of the American worker and the American dream.

Yet, here we are, watching his key advisors, during a critical domestic election cycle, actively engaging with a party aligned with, let’s be generous, a *complicated* international player. It’s a level of cognitive dissonance that could power a small city. It’s like a chef opening a rival restaurant during their own dinner rush, serving the same dish, but with slightly worse ingredients, just because. And then claiming they’re still committed to *their* restaurant. The irony isn’t just thick; it’s a whole damn stew. It makes you wonder if “America First” was less a guiding principle and more of a really effective marketing slogan, easily shelved when something shinier – or perhaps more lucrative – pops up on the international stage. One has to assume the Albanian Democratic Party wasn’t just offering a free vacation to the Adriatic.

The Curious Case of the Consultative Class

So, who are these intrepid international troubleshooters? The NYT report points to individuals within Trump’s inner orbit. We’re not talking about some low-level interns fetching coffee for the RNC. These are people with direct lines, with influence, with a clear understanding of the political machine that, let’s be honest, often operates on vibes and loyalty rather than strict policy. And they chose to deploy that expertise not for Georgia (the state, not the country, though at this point, who knows?), but for… Albania. During a local election. For a party with questionable affiliations that align it with an adversary like Russia. It’s a head-scratcher, to say the least, unless you peel back the layers of performative patriotism.

What exactly were they offering, besides a dash of American political celebrity? Political strategy? Messaging advice? How to properly execute a rally featuring a former reality TV star? One can only speculate on the specific deliverables. But the implication is clear: their time, their valuable, allegedly America-First time, was being spent bolstering an entity that, by multiple accounts, leans towards Moscow. It begs the question: What’s the going rate for a bit of American political gravitas, especially when it comes from the former occupant of the Oval Office’s circle? And more importantly, what’s the ROI for such an investment? Was it just a quick buck, or something more strategic, a subtle cultivation of influence abroad that might pay dividends later? Because it’s hard to imagine anyone doing this out of pure, selfless international goodwill.

A Pattern of Unconventional Priorities

This isn’t an isolated incident, is it? It feels less like a one-off error in judgment and more like a consistent theme within this particular political ecosystem. The constant flirtation with various strongmen, the perplexing deference to certain foreign leaders, the way “America First” often seemed to morph into “America First… unless someone else offers a shiny thing or aligns with my particular worldview.” It’s almost as if the concept of national loyalty, when applied to the former President’s camp, is less about a steadfast unwavering commitment to one’s own country’s interests and more about a flexible, fluid arrangement contingent on… well, who knows what? Personal gain? Ideological alignment? The sheer novelty of it all? Or perhaps a profound misunderstanding of how foreign policy actually works beyond a transactional handshake deal?

It certainly sends a clear message to any aspiring political strategist out there: don’t worry *too* much about the domestic optics if there’s a more interesting, or perhaps more lucrative, opportunity abroad, especially if it involves a country that makes the State Department raise an eyebrow. Who needs a red wave when you can make a few bucks helping a party in a nation where the geopolitical chess pieces are, shall we say, a bit more… exotic? It suggests that for some, the game isn’t just about winning at home; it’s about playing on a much larger, more opaque field, where the rules of conventional patriotism are merely suggestions.

The Great American Balancing Act: Midterms vs. …Albania?

Let’s just take a moment to absorb the sheer absurdity. The Republican Party is fighting tooth and nail to reclaim power, pouring millions into campaigns, and rallying the base with fiery rhetoric about saving America. Meanwhile, some of the most influential figures in their de facto leader’s orbit are essentially moonlighting as international political consultants for a Russia-aligned faction. It’s less “all hands on deck” and more “some hands on deck, other hands are busy yachting in the Adriatic, apparently doing *very important work* for a government that probably isn’t sending us Christmas cards and definitely isn’t aligned with stated U.S. foreign policy objectives.”

It’s a stark reminder that for some, the political game extends far beyond the borders of the United States, and that “loyalty” can be a rather elastic concept. Especially when there are other interests, pecuniary or otherwise, to be served. It makes you wonder what other hidden engagements are bubbling under the surface, what other geopolitical alliances are being subtly forged or reinforced, all while the American public is told to focus on gas prices and culture wars. It also highlights a rather glaring double standard: imagine for a moment the outrage if prominent advisors to a Democratic president were found to be assisting a China-aligned party in some obscure corner of the globe during a critical U.S. election. The headlines would scream, the calls for investigations would be deafening, and the accusations of treason would be flying faster than a rogue tweet. But here? It’s just another Tuesday in the post-truth political landscape, where the definition of “America First” seems to be perpetually under revision.

Snarky Takeaway

So, the next time you hear someone from this particular political persuasion waxing poetic about “America First” and railing against foreign influence, perhaps ask them if that includes an exemption clause for aiding Russia-aligned parties during crucial U.S. election cycles. Because it appears that for a select few, “America First” is more of a suggestion, or perhaps a brand slogan, rather than an operating principle rooted in any genuine, consistent national interest. Apparently, some folks believe you can have your Red Wave and help international adversaries too. Just don’t expect it to make any damn sense, or for anyone to be held particularly accountable.