Friend, this is a fascinating and completely disturbing article from the New York Times. 

Putin just listed 500 new targets for Russian sanctions. In short, it’s his enemies list, a collection of people who Putin wants the world to know he personally despises. 

But here’s where it gets scary. Some of the names listed are at the top of Trump’s enemies list too. Take a look for yourself. 

1. Letitia James, the New York state attorney general who is suing Trump for fraud. 
2. Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Secretary of State and recipient of Trump’s “perfect call.”
3. Lt. Michael Myrd, the Capitol Police officer who shot MAGA martyr Ashli Babbitt. 

Think about that list, Friend. What do those people have to do with Russian foreign policy? They haven’t been vocal commentators on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They have no expertise or role in U.S.-Russian relations. 

The only conceivable explanation is that Putin is sending a loud and clear message to Trump: Your enemies are mine and I want to see you back in The White House in 2024. 

Putin's clear message got me thinking about the ad campaign we ran last year. It was a hard- hitting and critical message that reminded voters that the party of Reagan is now the party of Putin. That’s why MAGA Republicans are so desperate to cut off aid to Ukraine. It’s why Trump has openly praised the murderous dictator in the past. And that reason is why Putin and Trump share the same exact enemies list.

There is a dangerous connection between MAGA and Putin’s authoritarian regime. It truly can’t be overstated and I can assure you that we’ll continue to work to remind voters of this fact. 

Today, I’m thinking about this ad and I want to make sure you do too. The fight against MAGA isn’t just about protecting democracy at home. It’s about fighting for democracy in Ukraine and in every country that is under authoritarian threat.

-Stuart

Senior Advisor

The Lincoln Project