Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs pushed back on accusations that he was “pro-Putin” after a portion of a series of Sunday tweets were amplified, leading some to believe that he supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Unfortunately what has happened on the Left with the Russiagate investigation – which was a hoax – is that when Republicans say something that involves Putin they get tied to him by the Left,” Jacobs told The Tennessee Star. “Putin and brutal dictators like him look for weakness. In order to deal with people like him you need to project strength.”
“I do not support Putin,” the Knox County mayor said. “I’m for liberty and freedom. Putin is the antithesis of that.”
In the weekend tweets, Jacobs told Antifa to go fight Putin in Ukraine, called Putin a fascist and the Left weak and naive, and torched cancel culture. Many on the Left on Twitter took umbrage with the retired athlete’s remarks, including some in the pro wrestling industry, saying that he was pro-Putin or was implying that acting like Putin is appropriate.
“With this woke culture we are in, our country projects weakness.” Jacobs said. “I think when people in the woke crowd get called out, they latch onto a straw man, and they create something they can argue against.”
Jacobs went on to blast Putin again, and pointed out the help from private industry for the people of Ukraine, like Elon Musk. Jacobs noted that while Senator Elizabeth Warren takes shots at Musk, he’s doing more to help people in Ukraine than she is. “Look at what Elon Musk has done with Starlink,” he said.
Although Jacobs opposes military intervention in Ukraine, he believes there are other ways to help the people there. “My contention is the U.S. should not get involved militarily in this. I am against any sort of any direct military action in this case. That doesn’t mean you don’t find other ways to help them.”
But Jacobs says he is a realist when it comes to dictators like Putin. “My point is that people like Putin exist, and often in this world, unfortunately they are successful because might has historically made right. People like Putin must be confronted with strength.” said the mayor. “Putin is a very bad guy. He is another authoritarian and I despise authoritarians.”
As for combatting Putin’s Ukrainian aspirations, Jacobs told The Star that the U.S. should focus on taking away Putin’s leverage on international energy markets, but to do so in a way that limits the impact on the Russian people, who he says have nothing to do with his aggression.
“The very first thing you do is allow American energy production again. Our energy policy is making Putin rich and we’ve given him all the leverage on energy.” said Mayor Jacobs; adding, “If you sanction anyone, you sanction the Russian oligarchs. Any sanctions should be directed at taking away Putin’s leverage, not hurting the people.”
Jacobs has nothing but praise for the people of Ukraine who are fighting against Putin’s aggression. “The Ukrainian people are brave and are defending their country, their homes. Hopefully the Russians will realize that the Ukrainians are making them pay a heavy price.”
Mayor Jacobs tweeted at 7:55 a.m. on Sunday:
If Antifa wants to fight the real fascists, they should go to Kyiv and help the Ukrainians in their battle against one.
If Antifa wants to fight the real fascists, they should go to Kyiv and help the Ukrainians in their battle against one. pic.twitter.com/pnruwLCUSY
— Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) February 27, 2022
Jacobs followed that tweet immediate up with:
Or they could head to Moscow and protest with the brave anti-war Russians being brutalized by Putin’s jackbooted thugs.
In a later tweet posted at 11:35 a.m. on Sunday, February 27, the mayor blasted the naivete of the Left on the issue of Putin’s aggression in Ukraine.
If you are on the Left and are shocked by Putin’s aggression, wake up, Sunshine. Historically in the real world, might makes right. Weakness (which is really what the Left is all about) is not a virtue. It’s a fatal character flaw. (And, no, the U.S. should still not get involved).
He followed that tweet up with another, blasting cancel culture and the radical Left.
I highly doubt Putin cares a whit about toxic masculinity, the Cancel Culture Mutawa, or any of the other things the radical Left stands for.
I highly doubt Putin cares a whit about toxic masculinity, the Cancel Culture Mutawa, or any of the other things the radical Left stands for.
— Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) February 27, 2022
Mayor Jacobs was elected to the position of Knox County mayor in 2018. Performing under the name Kane, he is a former professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR.
