JUST IN- New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers Slams United States supporting Ukraine, Spouts New Conspiracy Theory on Pat McAfee Show
The New York Jets might have found a spark to revive their season after a 21-13 victory over the Houston Texans in Thursday Night Football. Following a scoreless first half that left fans calling for his replacement, Aaron Rodgers turned up the heat, delivering three touchdown passes in the second half, including a remarkable connection with Garrett Wilson that could go down as one of the season’s most unforgettable catches. The Jets, now at 3-6, have a slim but tangible chance of reaching the NFL playoffs. This win ended a tough five-game losing streak, though it’s worth noting that the Texans were dealing with a depleted lineup, forced to play backup offensive tackles in guard positions due to multiple injuries.
With the game airing on Thursday, Rodgers’ usual Tuesday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show was rescheduled for Friday. This week, the show took place at Beaver Stadium in Pennsylvania, adding a unique setting as McAfee was broadcasting from there. Rodgers took the opportunity to wade into a few controversial discussions, as he has done in past segments, though this one saw him interrupted twice by military jets performing flyovers above the stadium. After the second pass, Rodgers commented that each flyover costs around $2 million, adding, “It’s $2 million we’re not sending to Ukraine, so that’s fine.”
After discussing his recent game, Rodgers circled back to clarify his remarks, emphasizing his perspective. “I just want to clear up one comment that I made, because there is a large Ukrainian flag that flies at 1 Jets Drive,” he said. “I don’t have a problem with Ukraine, at all. I just think that there are a lot of problems in the United States that $180 billion could maybe help instead of fighting a proxy war.” Rodgers’ viewpoint echoes a sentiment held by many Americans who believe resources might be better allocated domestically. Earlier this year, Rodgers also raised eyebrows by speaking positively of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a guest appearance on Tucker Carlson’s podcast. Rodgers remarked that Putin appeared as a thoughtful and intelligent individual, adding a comparison to the dystopian themes of George Orwell’s 1984 to argue that governments often vilify adversaries without genuine knowledge about them.
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States and various allies have continuously supported Ukraine with financial aid, weapons, and other supplies. Rodgers, however, has been vocal about his concerns regarding America’s involvement in foreign conflicts. During this recent segment, he further criticized the U.S. government, voicing a conspiracy theory that government agencies, including FEMA, are depriving Americans affected by natural disasters of food and water. He pointed to past issues with FEMA, particularly during the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, as evidence of systemic problems. “Like natural disasters, and FEMA is confiscating bottles of water and food supplies from people trying to help,” he stated. “Maybe let’s help those people out. Obviously, FEMA doesn’t have the best record…but I think there are 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.”
There are, however, questions about the accuracy of Rodgers’ statements. FEMA recently published a “Myth and Fact” page to address similar rumors. According to the agency, the widely discussed $750 aid is simply a baseline amount that every disaster victim is eligible for as FEMA assesses individual needs further. The agency assured the public that they have sufficient resources for immediate response and recovery, and urged those in need to apply for assistance.
Before wrapping up the interview, McAfee’s crew attempted to steer Rodgers toward revealing his choice for next week’s presidential election. Rodgers declined to share specifics, quipping that undecided voters should simply ask their favorite celebrity who to vote for.
It’s worth noting that in past election cycles, Rodgers endorsed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the presidential race and even considered joining as his vice-presidential pick. Since then, Kennedy has exited the race and pledged his support to former President Donald Trump.