'Is there a cash prize?' RT's top 10 Russophobes of 2018 revel in their new official status
RT's list of the top 10 Russophobes of 2018 has received a rapturous welcome by many of those lucky enough to make the list. It has been perceived as justification of their work aimed at undermining trust in an entire nation.
Here is a selection of just some of the responses from RT's top Russophobes 2018.
Atlantic Council
The staff over at the Atlantic Council were over the moon after claiming top spot. While Ben Nimmo was singled out for his excellent work in the field, it seems the organization as a whole feels their inclusion is welcome recognition of their NATO-funded efforts to undermine.
The council's Geysha Gonzalez tweeted that "Our work and our hope is for a better Russia for the Russian people."
Oh yes, because if there's one thing Russians love, it's organizations like the Atlantic Council telling them how their country could be better.
In the funny news: @AtlanticCouncil makes RT's Top 10 Russophobes of 2018 as the leading 'russophobe' think-tank https://t.co/ZSTND7L5Bw @EurasiaAC
— Agnia Grigas (@AgniaGrigas) 16 октября 2018 г.
So proud to be on this list! @kalenskyj in two weeks you’ll be joining #1 Russophobes of 2018Though, if I may, I’d like to offer one edit: we’re anti-Kremlin and anti-Putin. Our work and our hope is for a better Russia for the Russian people. https://t.co/reWZ9lmyu7
— Geysha González (@geyshapaola) 16 октября 2018 г.
Conservative Party
There's been a subdued response from Britain's governing Tory party so far. Not even Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson has responded to tell RT to 'go away and stop being a big meany.' They're probably all busy messing up Brexit, but surely they could show a little more enthusiasm for the best electoral outcome they're likely to be seeing for some time.
Rachel Maddow
MSNBC host Rachel Maddow has not reacted directly to her third-place finish, but since the list has been published she has been tweeting about Donald Trump possibly getting electoral help from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Clearly her inclusion has made her see the error of her ways, and she's decided to go after Arabs instead in order to stay off the 2019 list.
Was this all the way back in May? Feels like it was yesterday.https://t.co/yPlqJkEoWx
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) 16 октября 2018 г.
Skripal pundits
Of all the pundits to make the list in the wake of the Salisbury poisoning, Andrew Foxall at the Henry Jackson Society, an organization renowned for its dedication to impartiality, was the most giddy to receive recognition, tweeting three times on the subject. He even concocted what seemed to be a short acceptance speech to his fellow echo-chamber members. Well done, Andrew.
Suffice it to say, but I'm deeply humbled to be named alongside three such esteemed individuals. @edwardlucas and @anneapplebaum, in particular, have done more than most to alert Western politicians and publics to the threat Vladimir Putin poses. https://t.co/ZemQPFn9fK
— Andrew Foxall (@DrewFoxall) 17 октября 2018 г.
UK fake news inquiry
While Britain's Conservative Party hasn't had the decency to officially recognize its inclusion on RT's list, Conservative MP and chairman of the parliamentary fake news committee, Damian Collins MP, let it be known he is over the moon to have made the cut. If nothing else, at least it shows that someone read his report. "We must be doing something right," he tweeted, still obviously unsure what exactly that 'something' is.
Pleased to see that our @CommonsCMS inquiry has made it to number five in Russia Today’s Russophobes of the year list. We must be doing something right! https://t.co/JHT1JZ3J0U
— Damian Collins (@DamianCollins) 16 октября 2018 г.
Michael McFaul
Former ambassador Michael McFaul appears happier than anyone to have made the list, predictably using it to give his book a plug and jokingly (we think) asking whether there was a cash prize. In fact, he was so happy he tweeted about and retweeted the list around 10 times. Thanks for the help, Mike, but be careful, Ben Nimmo will be labeling you a Kremlin bot if you're not careful.
I made @RT_com list! Is there a cash prize? "Top 10 Russophobes of 2018: See who made RT's prestigious list this year — RT World News" https://t.co/tjq2oAQpMP
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) 16 октября 2018 г.
The Daily Beast
Just like at the Atlantic Council, the Daily Beast really seemed to accept the accolade of being on the list as one close-knit organization. There was even a little congratulatory story about it on their site, which may be the first genuinely verified story linked to Russia that they've published in some time.
We made it! Kremlin propaganda names The Daily Beast among its Top 10 Enemies https://t.co/MpbyD2chrD
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) 16 октября 2018 г.
Hillary Clinton
Just like last year, we've heard nothing from Hillary, which leaves us to assume that her personal Twitter password remains on that second server somewhere.
Bill Browder
Bill Browder responded to the list so fast, one might suspect he was sat at home refreshing the RT website. He made the usual Russophobe justification about being "very fond of Russians," and said he was "relieved that the Kremlin mouthpiece didn't leave me off this year." Expect a book about it soon.
Phew.. I made RT's list of top 10 Russophobes. I'm actually very fond of normal Russians, just not of the criminals who run the country. But relieved that the Kremlin mouthpiece didn't leave me off this year. https://t.co/O923GaerwF
— Bill Browder (@Billbrowder) 16 октября 2018 г.
Justin Trudeau
The Canadian prime minister has not acknowledged his place in RT's top 10, which is frankly very hurtful from someone who prides himself on not upsetting anyone, whatever their identity. Russians are people too!
Just a quick footnote for Louise Mensch, who didn't make this year's list, but continues to keep last year's list pinned to the top of her Twitter feed with such pride. Don't give up, there's always next year.
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