Adam Kinzinger Cites 19% Russian Occupation in Ukraine, Challenges GOP on War Stance and Trump Influence

Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger recently appeared on Tim Miller's podcast, "The Bulwark," to discuss a range of pressing political issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Republican Party's internal dynamics, and a reported GOP sex scandal. The episode, promoted by Miller's tweet, delved into critical assessments of current events and the state of American politics, offering Kinzinger's outspoken perspective.

During the discussion, Kinzinger asserted that Russia is "losing" the war in Ukraine, highlighting a significant reduction in occupied territory. He stated, "The day they initiated the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, they occupied 32% of Ukraine. Today, that number is 19%," adding that Russia has suffered "a million young Russian men either killed, captured, or wounded." This analysis directly addressed the tweet's question, "Is Russia actually losing the war?"

Kinzinger also critiqued the Republican Party's alignment with former President Donald Trump, touching upon the query "Why are GOP electeds scared?" He lamented the party's reluctance to challenge Trump, suggesting a lack of courage among its members. The podcast also implicitly addressed the "Trump's MASTERSTROKE" reference, with Kinzinger describing Trump's "superpower" as his ability to claim success without delivering tangible results, particularly in economic policy.

The conversation ventured into more sensational territory, as highlighted by the tweet's mention of "gay escorts at Butterworths." According to a Mediaite report on the podcast, Miller questioned Kinzinger about a Daily Mail story detailing a "secret gay sex scandal" involving a "DC-based male escort" and a "sitting Midwestern Republican congressman" who allegedly frequented "Butterworths." Kinzinger, a former Midwestern congressman himself, was asked to rule himself out, which he did with a smile, while speculating on the potential implications for the unnamed figure.

The podcast also touched on the broader political climate, including the national debt and the concept of "reformed 1/6ers," likely referring to individuals who have re-evaluated their involvement or support of the January 6th Capitol events. Kinzinger expressed his readiness to face political intimidation, stating, "If Trump comes after me, guess what? Will I love it? No. But you know what? From jail, I'll be three times more effective against him." This reflects his consistent stance against what he perceives as authoritarian tendencies within the GOP.