Sullivan ducks again; claims he just heard of Trump's plan to bribe voters with $5,000
Sen. Dan Sullivan has always ducked uncomfortable questions about President Donald Trump, claiming he couldn’t comment on this, that or the other thing because he hadn’t read the report, watched the event, listened to the news or heard anything from anyone at any time.
This Sullivan practice was expertly summarized by the Pebble Mine Executive who said of Sullivan six years ago, “He’s going to try to ride out the election and remain quiet.”
Everyone in the United States heard weeks ago about Trump’s so-called plan to bribe every adult with $5,000 if Republicans maintain control of the U.S. Congress.
Everyone that is except for a certain U.S. Senator from Alaska who is trailing Democratic challenger Mary Peltola in the polls.
Sullivan accuses Peltola of employing the “Joe Biden bunker mentality,” but she is not the one who claims to have never heard the details of Trump’s election giveaway.
Perhaps Sullivan revels in presenting himself as the most uninformed man in America. It’s all to curry favor with Trump.
Sullivan should have popped out of his bunker to ask Sen. Lisa Murkowski about what to say on the $5,000 plan. She denounced it almost a month ago. “I don’t think it is right to suggest that I’m going to give you money if you vote this way,” Murkowski said. “And the first place I have to start is, all right, how are we paying for this?”
Here is what Politico says about the latest Sullivan “I know nothing” evasion:
What about the $5,000 dividends Trump has promised voters if Republicans hold control of Congress, as he did at a rally for Sullivan in Wasilla on Tuesday? “I’ve got to look at the legislation. I don’t know,” Sullivan said. “That was the first time I heard it from him, and I would just evaluate that if and when it happens.”
This “I didn’t read it, so I can’t comment” malarkey is a Sullivan mainstay, as I’ve mentioned many times over the years.
The POLITICO reporter also asked Sullivan if the Trump administration is too friendly with Putin.
Sullivan was aghast.
“I thought you were asking me campaign stuff,” Sullivan replied. “Is this like a hit piece or what?”
Maybe he thought the questions should have been given to him in advance?
It was a simple question that deserved an answer.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski signed the letter, as did 11 other senators. The letter called on Trump to enforce the actions authorized in the so-called “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.”
“These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict,” Murkowski and the others said.
“Maintain our legacy – and the duty America holds – as leader of the free world,” the senators said.
Sullivan claimed he never saw the letter, so he couldn’t possibly sign it. He told the POLITICO reporter about a column he wrote seven years ago claiming that Trump was tough on Putin. Seven years!
Sullivan, who portrayed himself during the Biden years as a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, has changed his principles.
On that day, Sullivan was sharing the stage in Wasillia with Trump, shoveling praise and leading the cheerleading squad.
He couldn’t sign the anti-Putin letter or endorse its contents, but he had his campaign spokesman belatedly issue a mild statement calling for more production of oil in Alaska, an irrelevant position regarding the immediate issue at hand.
On Friday, Trump removed sanctions on Russia, a betrayal of Ukraine.
Sullivan has yet to emerge from his bunker.
Kimberly Strassel, the Wall Street Journal worrywart who moved to Wasilla, makes the ridiculous claim that rejecting Sullivan and electing Peltola would be “economic suicide” for Alaska. Do what Trump wants or else, she says, defending the mob boss mentality. He might even kill the gasline that doesn’t exist.
Likewise, the POLITICO article includes what Sullivan defenders always mention about the subservient senator’s inability to ever challenge anything said or done by Trump. If he speaks up, Trump will retaliate against the Alaskans he claims to love so much. Disagreement is automatically disrespect.
That speaks volumes about the character flaws of Sullivan, Trump and the Republican Congress.
Your contributions help support independent analysis and political commentary by Alaska reporter and author Dermot Cole. Thank you for reading and for your support. Either click here to use PayPal or send checks to: Dermot Cole, Box 10673, Fairbanks, AK 99710-0673.