Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008. He was also the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012.
Gregory Wayne Abbott (born November 13, 1957) is an American attorney who has served as the 48th governor of Texas since January 20, 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Abbott previously served as the 50th attorney general of Texas from 2002 to 2015. He is the third governor of any U.S. state to permanently use a wheelchair. He is also the first disabled governor in Texas history.
Steve Bannon Praises Putin and Texas for Anti-LGBTQ+ Actions
War Room broadcast Wednesday, shortly before Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. He and a guest also lauded Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for his call for authorities to investigate gender-affirming care for minors as child abuse.In the Putin segment, Bannon hosted Erik Prince, founder of the military contracting firm Blackwater USA and brother of Trump’s Education secretary, Betsy DeVos.
Bannon said the U.S. should support Putin because “he’s anti-woke.”“The Russian people still know which bathroom to use,” Prince responded.
Bannon then said, “How many genders are there in Russia?” to which Prince replied, “Two.” Bannon further praised Russia because Russians don’t fly LGBTQ+ Pride flags, and Prince noted, “They don’t have boys swimming in girls’ college swim meets,” a reference to transgender athletes.“How savage,” Bannon said sarcastically. “How medieval.”Putin and Russia are notorious for the “gay propaganda” law, enacted in 2013, which prohibits any mention of LGBTQ+ issues or identities in venues accessible to minors, effectively banning Pride parades and other public LGBTQ+ events.
In another segment, Bannon spoke with Terry Schilling, president of the anti-LGBTQ+ American Principles Project, about events in Texas.
