Aaron Rodgers fuels FEMA conspiracy theories as Jets QB raises doubts about U.S. helping Ukraine
Aaron Rodgers has never been far away from controversial opinions in the past few years and he continued with that trend, roping in Ukraine aid and FEMA into the mix. The Jets quarterback was appearing on the Pat McAfee Show and the whole thing started with something quite innocuous.
The show was being hosted at the Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania, in anticipation of the big game between Penn State and Ohio State. Jets flew overhead during the filming, twice interrupting the conversation, and that drew the first remark from Aaron Rodgers, who said,
“It’s $2 million we’re not sending to Ukraine, so that’s fine.”
Later on in the show, he wanted to clear up his previous comment and said that he did not want it to be taken as anti-Ukrainian. Rather, he commented that his issue is with the amount of aid the United States was sending to the country in its war against Russia that could instead be spent to address local concerns. The Jets quarterback noted,
“I just want to clear up one comment that I made, because there is a large Ukrainian flag that flies at 1 Jets Drive. I don’t have a problem with Ukraine, at all. I just think that there’s a lot of problems in the United States that $180 billion could maybe help instead of fighting a proxy war. Just to tie that one up."
Aaron Rodgers promoted FEMA conspiracy theory as Jets QB ties it to Ukraine aid
Aaron Rodgers gave the example of FEMA as one agency that could use the money going to Ukraine. With the Eastern coast of the United States recently besieged by hurricanes, the Jets quarterback brought up allegations about FEMA struggling to help US citizens and residents and said,
"You know, like natural disasters, and FEMA is confiscating bottles of water and food supplies from people trying to help. Like maybe, let’s help those people out. Obviously, FEMA doesn’t have the best record if you go back to 2005 and Katrina. But I think there’s a lot of problems in the States and people hurting that could use more than, I don’t know, what’d they just give out? 600 dollars, 700 dollars? Come on.”
FEMA has previously provided clarification that its funding is not affected by aid going elsewhere as it has adequate money right now.
The Jets quarterback's comments come in the week that the United States will vote in the 2024 Presidential Election.