If there was such a thing as MSNBC's Law it would state that all things are to the benefit of Russia and President Trump is at least somewhat responsible. The 11th Hour host Brian Williams and former FBI Assistant Director and current MSNBC analyst Frank Figliuzzi illustrated this on Friday night when they theorized that Russia is benefiting from both riots across the country, the COVID pandemic, and Trump's response to them.
Williams told Figliuzzi that, "I can't tell you how many people have been in touch with me today and tonight and last night to say some form of the following, which we would have laughed at five years ago. The Russians must be having a good old time looking at television images of the United States. Death toll of 100,000. A pandemic not at all under control. And now city streets aflame in more cities tonight than we can list."
Why would it have been laughed at five years ago? There were riots in 2015 as well. As for the pandemic, Russia has its own problems to worry about on that front.
Figliuzzi, however, agreed with Williams, "Yeah, I've lost count of the number of times you and I, Brian, have talked about this very concept, that the number one goal of the Russian government is not to get a certain person in the White House, but rather to sow discord and chaos."
He went on to add, "Now, it helps if the person in the White House is unable to calm the nerves of the nation, is unable to get peace and calm restored in our cities through his behavior, through trust, through his relationships and his statements. So yes, our adversaries are studying this right now. Some of them are actually pleased that we are more divided than ever and I’m very troubled that we could be in for a very long hot summer if this isn’t quashed."
Here is a transcript for the May 29 show:
MSNBC
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams
11:40 PM ET
BRIAN WILLIAMS: I can't tell you how many people have been in touch with me today and tonight and last night to say some form of the following, which we would have laughed at five years ago. The Russians must be having a good old time looking at television images of the United States. Death toll of 100,000. A pandemic not at all under control. And now city streets aflame in more cities tonight than we can list.
FRANK FIGLIUZZI: Yeah, I've lost count of the number of times you and I, Brian, have talked about this very concept, that the number one goal of the Russian government is not to get a certain person in the White House, but rather to sow discord and chaos. Now, it helps if the person in the White House is unable to calm the nerves of the nation, is unable to get peace and calm restored in our cities through his behavior, through trust, through his relationships and his statements. So yes, our adversaries are studying this right now. Some of them are actually pleased that we are more divided than ever and I’m very troubled that we could be in for a very long hot summer if this isn’t quashed.
