In a series of tweets Friday, MSNBC’s Joy Reid meditated on the curious development of a major presidential candidate making it politically acceptable to praise Russia.

The only problem is that she seemed to think that Russia under Vladmir Putin is a Communist regime, notwithstanding the fact that the USSR collapsed in 1991. She even referred to Putin as “Comrade Vladimir.”

Pro-Putin Republicans are now officially a thing. God Bless Mother Russia soon to be chanted at Trump rallies? https://t.co/ll8Hqao1sy — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) September 9, 2016

BTW Trump isn’t the first pro-Putin Republican. His pal Rudy and other GOPers have praised Comrade Vladimir over President Obama for years. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) September 9, 2016

Trump is just the first to create a cult of personality strong enough to make pro-Russian sentiments “normal” among rank-&-file Republicans. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) September 9, 2016

I imagine the old time American Communist Party is spinning in its collective grave with envy at what Trump is accomplishing. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) September 9, 2016

Even Jill Stein, who’s taken the socialist Green Party full Putinite, and the Putin-tilting Snowdenistas haven’t been nearly as successful. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) September 9, 2016

That said, for most Americans it’s shocking to see an American presidential candidate openly touting authoritarian, communist Russia… — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) September 9, 2016

… and in the party of Reagan, no less. Just stunning. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) September 9, 2016



In addition to taking her to task for the anachronism, many accused her of drawing spurious connections between communism and modern Russia in order to demonize the far-left.

“I imagine the old time American Communist Party is spinning in its collective grave with envy at what Trump is accomplishing,” Reid tweeted. She drew explicit comparisons between Putinism and Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who she claimed had “taken the socialist Green Party full Putinite.” She also took aim at “the Putin-tilting Snowdenistas.”

Gary Johnson’s knowledge about Syria vastly outpaces Joy Reid’s understanding of Russia — Lee Fang (@lhfang) September 9, 2016

Does @JoyAnnReid know the Soviet Union collapsed? Why does it all come back to commie bashing? https://t.co/qKMiWDxheR — Anya Parampil (@anyaparampil) September 9, 2016

“Communist Russia”. This is some information age we’re living in. pic.twitter.com/NbmbtA1U0D — Luke Savage (@LukewSavage) September 9, 2016

“And in the party of Reagan, no less!” pic.twitter.com/l3omzK947W — Luke Savage (@LukewSavage) September 9, 2016

Level of knowledge American journos have of today’s Russia When did Russia become “communist” again, @JoyAnnReid? pic.twitter.com/ohbwuisBZr — Danielle Ryan (@DanielleRyanJ) September 9, 2016

What @JoyAnnReid is doing is shameful. Redbaiting like HUAC is about to go into session. She’s a modern Joseph McCarthy. Horrible human. — jonathandanielbrown (@JonathanDBrown) September 9, 2016

@JoyAnnReid you do realize formal communism in Russia ended in 1991, right? — ryan cooper (@ryanlcooper) September 9, 2016

To @JoyAnnReid, if you’re for Trump you’re a commie, for Green – a commie, Sanders commie. Any who oppose H commie! pic.twitter.com/DvcQ17JYCP — Bad Brown Sanders (@bad_bad_bernie) September 9, 2016

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Sam Reisman (@thericeman) is a staff editor at Mediaite.

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