# He's Absolutely F****D IT!!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxC4jkrIjiU
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/cxC4jkrIjiU
Generated: 2025-12-16T21:35:03.874+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Russell Brand argues that Western media is deflecting attention from Ukrainian corruption scandals, where aides to President Zelensky were allegedly involved in siphoning billions in aid, by reviving the discredited narrative that Donald Trump is compromised by Russia, drawing parallels to historical cover-ups like the Iran-Contra affair.

**Key Points:**
- The narrative surrounding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is cracking, with The New York Times acknowledging corruption allegations involving his administration siphoning billions in aid.
- Zelensky's top aide, Andriy Yermak, was reportedly raided by the anti-corruption body following a corruption scandal involving $100 million from Ukraine's state-owned nuclear company.
- The video draws a parallel between current events and the 1980s Iran-Contra affair, where secret funding networks were exposed for diverting money from arms sales to finance rebels.
- Despite corruption revelations, European governments continue to commit over $1 billion monthly for new weapons to Ukraine, claiming the risk must be tolerated.
- Russell Brand suggests that parts of the US media, like Rachel Maddow and Stephen Colbert, deflect from Ukrainian graft by reviving the 'familiar narrative' that Donald Trump is compromised by Russia.
- The core message, according to Brand, is for the public not to look too closely at how their tax dollars are being spent in Ukraine, but instead focus on unsubstantiated anti-Trump stories.
- Brand cites historical precedent, like the Pentagon Papers exposing corruption in the South Vietnamese government during the Vietnam War, where the war effort continued despite the evidence.

![Screenshot at 00:22: Russell Brand questioning the narrative by asking if the situation in Ukraine is 'collapsing in short', setting the stage for his critique of media deflection.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cxC4jkrIjiU/00-00-22.png)

**Context:** The video features comedian and commentator Russell Brand discussing recent news reports, primarily citing The New York Times and his own Substack analysis, concerning alleged corruption within the Ukrainian government, particularly surrounding President Volodymyr Zelensky and his administration figures. Brand contrasts the current coverage of Ukraine with historical instances of concealed government misconduct, such as the Iran-Contra affair, to argue that Western media is deliberately misdirecting public focus away from accountability in Kyiv.

## Detailed Analysis

Russell Brand critiques the Western media's handling of Ukrainian corruption allegations, contrasting it with the historical depiction of Zelensky as a heroic figure. He highlights that The New York Times has started documenting corruption, noting that Zelensky's top aide, Andriy Yermak, faced a raid following a scandal involving $100 million from the state-owned nuclear company. Brand repeatedly draws parallels to the 1980s Iran-Contra affair, where secret arms deals funded Nicaraguan rebels, illustrating how shadowy financial channels flourish under national security pretexts. He points out the irony that despite these revelations, NATO leaders continue to pledge over $1 billion monthly in aid, with officials admitting corruption but claiming it is a tolerable risk. Brand argues that US media figures like Rachel Maddow and Stephen Colbert are actively deflecting from the Ukrainian graft issue by re-emphasizing the narrative that Donald Trump is compromised by Russia, suggesting the public is being told to ignore where their tax dollars are going. He concludes that the historical pattern—where vast foreign resources meet weak institutions and geopolitical urgency—inevitably leads to corruption thriving, and the consequences are only beginning to surface.

### Zelensky Corruption Allegations

- Kyiv official (Andriy Yermak) raided after $100M embezzlement from nuclear company
- NYT acknowledges corruption, stating Zelensky's aides facilitated siphoning of aid billions

### Media Deflection

- Portions of US media deflect attention from Ukrainian graft by reviving the narrative that Donald Trump is compromised by Russia (Rachel Maddow, Stephen Colbert mentioned)

### Historical Parallels to Corruption

- Iran-Contra affair (1980s) exposed secret funding networks from arms sales to fund Nicaraguan rebels
- Pentagon Papers exposed billions lost to corruption in South Vietnam during the war

### Ongoing Aid Despite Corruption

- European governments continue committing over $1 billion monthly for new weapons, claiming the risk of corruption must be tolerated

### Brand's Conclusion

- The message is clear: Do not look closely at where tax dollars go; focus instead on unsubstantiated stories (like Trump/Russia collusion) to maintain the system.

![Screenshot at 00:15: News report graphic showing Ukrainian President Zelensky and another official with the text 'Corruption Scandal'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cxC4jkrIjiU/00-00-15.png)
![Screenshot at 00:22: Russell Brand questioning the narrative, asking if the situation in Ukraine is 'collapsing in short'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cxC4jkrIjiU/00-00-22.png)
![Screenshot at 01:12: Text slide stating: 'Yet the façade is now cracking. In a striking turn, the New York Times has acknowledged that Zelensky and his top aides facilitated the siphoning of billions in aid.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cxC4jkrIjiU/00-01-12.png)
![Screenshot at 02:22: Text slide outlining how 'Leaders in Kiev even rewrote company charters to limit oversight, keeping the government in control and allowing hundreds of millions of dollars to be spent without outsiders poking around,' according to the NYT investigation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cxC4jkrIjiU/00-02-22.png)
![Screenshot at 12:07: Side-by-side comparison of media coverage 'Before Ukraine Crisis' \(reporting on corruption\) and 'After Ukraine Crisis' \(focusing on heroic narratives\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cxC4jkrIjiU/00-12-07.png)