Staff Reports
Mark Levin, known for his fireworks of commentary on the airwaves, recently sparked a bit of a kerfuffle with remarks on his radio show that some interpreted as a veiled jab at former President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Levin, traditionally a staunch Trump backer, took the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima to remind America of its role in defending freedom, suggesting that this principle extends to Ukraine, which is currently facing Russian aggression.
Levin took a moment to honor his grandfather’s service in the Pacific during World War II, but soon turned his sights to the current battlefield in Eastern Europe. He defended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky against critics who question the validity of U.S. support, brushing aside claims that the war waging in Ukraine should be contingent upon the nation holding elections. One has to wonder if Levin is trying to save America from itself, defending a leader even Trump seems reluctant to acknowledge properly.
Fox News’ Mark Levin Under Fire For ‘Implicit Rebuke’ Of President Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine
Levin's defense of Ukraine is not new.https://t.co/gBc1w09HN6 pic.twitter.com/U7wBmI6wgS
— Trump2024_no_matter_what (@TexasTrump2024) February 20, 2025
In an eyebrow-raising turn, Levin appeared to refute the charges leveled against Zelensky by establishing the much-discussed president as a fleshy target for criticism while turning the spotlight back to Vladimir Putin. Levin jested that claiming Zelensky to be a CIA operative was as ludicrous as suggesting the KGB stalwart was now a beacon of democracy and international goodwill. This rhetorical flair demonstrates Levin’s attempt to position Zelensky not as a puppet, but as a legitimate leader of a nation fighting a war that was not its making.
Interestingly, Levin’s remarks came amidst rumblings within conservative circles showing skepticism toward American involvement in the conflict. Trump has been vocal about his inclination to pull back U.S. military support, asserting European nations should step up to the plate and bear some responsibility. Levin, on the other hand, is firmly entrenched in the ideology that Ukraine is unfairly bearing the brunt of Russian aggression and deserves support. He likened the situation to a David and Goliath scenario — with Ukraine representing the underdog simply trying to survive against an aggressor that has centuries of expansionist behavior.
Despite Levin’s well-articulated defense, the situation has only served to widen the chasm between the former President and President Zelensky. Trump, always looking for a sound bite, recently shared on social media that the Ukrainian leader needed to hurry up with elections or risk losing his country. It’s the kind of post that suggests Trump believes he has a unique ability to negotiate peace — an assertion that even the casual observer might find hard to swallow, given the ongoing turmoil.
Levin stands at a crossroad now, navigating a conservative landscape that appears increasingly fractured over Ukraine. While he throws his support behind Zelensky, the cracks in the unified Republican front on foreign policy are becoming more evident. One might wonder whether Levin is chasing ghosts or attempting to keep the party grounded in the ideals that put America on the world stage in the first place. In any case, one thing is clear: these debates are not going anywhere soon, and neither is Levin’s trademark brand of impassioned defense.
