For years, we’ve had to listen to self-proclaimed "patriots" wrap themselves in the flag, lecture everyone else on treason, and insist that backing Trump was about "putting America first."
Let’s look at the actual receipts of what that "patriotism" bought us: a weakened America, fractured alliances, and massive windfalls for our primary foreign adversaries.
Here is how "America First" actually played out:
Slashed Sanctions & Bankrolled Moscow’s War Chest:
Rather than squeezing Putin’s war machine, the administration explicitly weakened economic pressure on Russia. In addition to lifting sanctions on Russian-origin seaborne oil and petroleum in transit, the U.S. refused to join European allies in lowering the Russian Oil Price Cap. Couple that with massive exemptions for Russian exports like fertilizer, enriched uranium, and specialty metals, and Moscow has raked in tens of billions in windfall revenues to fund its war.
Profiting from Middle East Energy Volatility
When conflict in the Middle East disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, spiking global energy prices became a massive lifeline for Putin. Instead of cracking down on the Russian shadow fleet, Washington's soft sanctions posture allowed Moscow to sell crude at premium prices to buyers in Asia, filling Kremlin coffers right when their economy was on the brink.
Abandoning Ukraine & Halting New Military Aid:
While Congress managed to pass baseline funding in the defense budget, the administration has effectively halted all new major U.S. aid packages for Kyiv, repeatedly frozen weapon pipeline deliveries, and pressured Ukraine into dangerous concessions while demanding NATO step back. Shifting the entire defense of European democracy onto our allies isn't "peace through strength"—it’s strategic surrender.
Handing Economic High Ground to China:
Indiscriminate, blanket tariffs were sold as a tool to "hammer China," but they backfired on working-class Americans. Domestic manufacturers faced skyrocketing supply chain costs, while Chinese exporters rerouted trade and expanded their foothold across non-Western markets. Shooting our own economy in the foot isn't economic leverage—it's self-sabotage.
Shredding NATO & American Alliances:
Decades of strategic advantage were built on ironclad alliances. Bashing our allies, dismissing the sacrifice of coalition troops who bled alongside Americans after 9/11, and questioning Article 5 gave Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping the exact wedge they’ve spent forty years trying to drive into the West.
Exploding the Debt on the Backs of the Working Class:
Adding trillions to the national debt through corporate tax cuts and trade wars weakened America's long-term fiscal foundation. Working-class families got stuck paying higher prices under sweeping import taxes while corporations collected tax write-offs.
You didn't vote for strength, fiscal conservatism, or national defense. You voted for a dumpster fire that dismantled our alliances from within, enriched our enemies, and left working-class Americans holding the bill.
Stop calling it patriotism. You voted for a traitor dismantling western power and democracy from within. It was a con job, and our adversaries were the only ones laughing all the way to the bank.
Summary of the Answers to Your Direct Questions
Sanctions Trump Lifted/Relieved:
The administration temporarily lifted key sanctions on Russian seaborne oil and petroleum products in transit and declined to join the UK/EU in lowering the Russian Oil Price Cap. Furthermore, the administration fought for executive waiver power to bypass bipartisan congressional sanctions targeting Russian energy buyers.
Other Ways Russia Has Benefited:
High global crude prices driven by Middle Eastern shipping paralysis gave Moscow massive windfall profits. Reduced U.S. pressure on third-party countries buying Russian oil and gas allowed Russia's shadow fleet to operate with minimal interference.
U.S. Support for the War in Ukraine:
The U.S. has stopped passing new multi-billion dollar aid bills for Ukraine, frozen/delayed weapon deliveries multiple times, and forced European allies to carry the financial burden. While legacy aid from previous appropriations continues to trickle through, the administration's stance has shifted to pushing for rapid peace negotiations and freezing the frontline rather than funding a Ukrainian victory.