Marjorie Taylor Green on Alexei Navalny’s Murder: “I Really Could Care Less.”

In the lead-up to South Carolina’s Republican primary, Donald Trump’s campaign surrogates, including notable figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lara Trump, have been emphasizing his policy achievements while deliberately steering clear of discussions surrounding the recent death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. This strategic silence comes amid a wave of international condemnation of Navalny’s death, with Western leaders, including President Joe Biden, holding Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible. Biden has pledged “major sanctions” against Russia, signaling a stark contrast in responses between the current administration and Trump’s camp.

During a campaign stop in Greenville, South Carolina, Marjorie Taylor Greene succinctly expressed her disinterest in the Navalny issue, stating, “I don’t know,” when asked about Putin’s involvement. She further emphasized her stance by saying, “I really could care less,” underscoring a focus solely on American issues and showing a clear disinterest in international controversies, according to reporting by NBC News.

Lara Trump echoed this sentiment, admitting her lack of sufficient information to comment on Navalny’s situation during her appearance in North Charleston. Her position reflects a broader trend within Trump’s campaign, which has largely ignored Navalny’s death, focusing instead on rallying support ahead of the primary.

Trump himself drew parallels between Navalny’s death and his legal challenges, particularly highlighting a recent New York court decision that ordered him and his associates to pay substantial damages for alleged fraud. On Truth Social, Trump lamented, “The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country,” linking his perceived persecution to broader national decline themes.

Trump’s supporters in South Carolina have echoed his sentiments, framing the New York judgment as emblematic of systemic bias against Trump and, by extension, his supporters. Senator Tim Scott and Representative Nancy Mace have both criticized the New York ruling, with Scott highlighting its potential impact on business sentiment in the state and Mace expressing hope for an appeal.

In contrast, Nikki Haley, Trump’s primary rival and South Carolina’s former governor, has openly condemned Putin for Navalny’s death and criticized Trump’s reluctance to do the same. Her stance represents a clear divergence in the Republican field, underscoring the varied approaches to foreign policy and leadership within the party.

As the primary approaches, the focus within Trump’s campaign on domestic issues and legal battles contrasts sharply with the global discourse on Navalny’s death. This strategy reflects a calculated effort to maintain support among primary voters, even as it draws criticism for its apparent dismissal of international human rights concerns.