A shocking rift is emerging inside the Republican Party after Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) unleashed harsh criticism of President Donald Trump, accusing him of being “even worse than Joe Biden” on the handling of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Bacon, a retired Air Force general, made the controversial comments on Monday while speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill. His remarks stunned many conservatives and immediately fueled speculation of growing internal tensions within the GOP.
Bacon Claims Trump Is ‘Weak on Russia’
Bacon said that while Trump has been “strong on Iran,” he believes the President’s approach to Russia has been deeply flawed.
“He’s been weak on Russia,” Bacon declared. “We’ve been hoping the president would take a firm stand on Russia and Ukraine — but he hasn’t. And you know, Biden was weak too. His disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan emboldened Russia and helped spark this mess in Ukraine.
But what I see with this president is even worse.”
Bacon’s direct comparison between Trump and Biden is a rare move for a sitting Republican and highlights a deepening divide over how to deal with Russian aggression.
Putin Defies Global Pressure
Bacon’s comments came after Russian dictator Vladimir Putin once again ignored international deadlines, escalating tensions in Eastern Europe.
CNN’s Kate Bolduan aired the explosive clip Tuesday, emphasizing Bacon’s unusually blunt tone for a Republican.
“Don Bacon has been critical of Donald Trump before, but this kind of candor is extremely rare among GOP lawmakers,” Bolduan said.
Foreign affairs analyst Kim Dozier added that European officials are now scrambling to work with Washington to craft tougher sanctions against Russia, with key meetings scheduled for later this week.
GOP Infighting Could Impact 2026 Midterms
Bacon’s attack is more than just a foreign policy dispute — it signals serious fractures inside the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Many conservative voters see Trump as the only leader strong enough to confront both Russia and China, while others within the party, like Bacon, want a different approach.
How this debate unfolds could determine America’s role on the world stage and reshape the future of the GOP.
Key Takeaways
- Rep. Don Bacon says Trump has been “worse than Biden” on Russia and Ukraine.
- Bacon praises Trump’s strength on Iran but calls his Russia policy “terrible.”
- Putin continues to defy the West, raising the stakes for U.S. leadership.
- Internal Republican conflict grows as the 2026 midterms approach.
Bottom Line:
Rep. Bacon’s remarks highlight a growing internal power struggle within the GOP. As Trump pushes forward with his “America First” foreign policy, establishment Republicans face a choice: stand with Trump, or risk handing power back to Biden and the Democrats.