Blinken's Ukraine Performance Draws Conservative Ire

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has faced backlash from conservatives for playing guitar at a bar in Kyiv amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. The video, which went viral on social media, has sparked criticism over the timing of Blinken's performance.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has found himself in the crosshairs of conservative critics after a video emerged of him playing guitar at a bar in Kyiv, Ukraine. The video, which went viral on social media, has drawn criticism over the timing of Blinken's performance, as the war in Ukraine continues and the region remains under attack.

Blinken's performance, which included a rendition of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World," was met with applause from the audience present in the bar. However, back home, some conservatives cringed at the display, citing the ongoing attacks on Kharkiv and the raging Israel-Gaza war as more pressing concerns.

The backlash against Blinken was swift. State Freedom Caucus Network's Greg Price condemned the display as "nothing to see here," while video journalist Nick Sortor accused Blinken of "partying" in Ukraine after delivering billions of American tax dollars. Pro-Trump influencer Brick Suit lamented Blinken's performance as he played guitar "while the world burns."

Former "The View" co-host Meghan McCain expressed her frustration with the number of "failed theatre kids/actors/musicians in politics," while commentator Dave Rubin questioned the reality of the situation.

The New York Times noted the irony of Blinken's song choice, given Young's lyrics about the state of America with young mothers addicted to drugs and mocked promises of a "kinder, gentler" nation. However, the Times also acknowledged that the viral spread of the video was a success for the State Department, following Blinken's earlier speech which was less well-received on social media.

Diplomats, according to an anonymous official quoted by The Washington Post, believed that despite the timing, Blinken's performance would "still drive home the Biden administration's support for Ukraine in its struggle against the Kremlin."

Radio host Dana Loesch joked about the situation, saying, "So anyway, here's Wonderwall."

The backlash against Blinken's performance highlights the ongoing political divide in the United States, with conservatives expressing outrage over what they see as a lack of seriousness and an inappropriate use of time. Representative Eli Crane, R-Ariz., questioned the state of the country's foreign policy, while the conservative social media account ForAmerica declared, "We're not a serious country anymore."