Consultant Madison Cawthorn, a Republican from North Carolina, informed supporters at a current look that was captured on video that he believed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was a "thug."

"Do not forget that Zelensky is a thug," Cawthorn stated in a video obtained by North Carolina information station WRAL. "Do not forget that the Ukrainian authorities is extremely corrupt and is extremely evil and has been pushing woke ideologies," the congressman added.

Zelensky Called a 'Thug' Cawthorn Speech
Consultant Madison Cawthorn, a Republican from North Carolina, referred to as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "thug" in a speech that was recorded on video. Above, Cawthorn arrives for the State of the Union handle on the U.S. Capitol on March 1, 2022 in Washington, D.C.Pool

The information station famous that Cawthorn's remarks have been first reported in an opinion piece written by Republican strategist Karl Rove within the Wall Road Journal Thursday.

"Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R., N.C.) did not replicate Republican opinion when he referred to as Mr. Zelensky 'a thug' and Ukraine's authorities 'extremely evil' final Saturday at a city corridor in Asheville, N.C.," Rove wrote.

Luke Ball, Cawthorn's communications director, informed Newsweek that Cawthorn "was expressing his displeasure at how international leaders, together with Zelensky, had just lately used false propaganda to entice America into changing into concerned in an abroad battle. He helps Ukraine and the Ukrainian president's efforts to defend their nation in opposition to Russian aggression, however doesn't need America drawn into one other battle by means of emotional manipulation."

Ball additionally pointed to a sequence of tweets Cawthorn posted on Thursday afternoon.

"Propaganda is getting used to entice America into one other conflict," Cawthorn tweeted. "I are not looking for Individuals dying as a result of feelings pushed us right into a battle."

Cawthorn hyperlinks to an article printed on Substack that argued Ukraine is directing misinformation on the West, and that its "efforts are designed to convey the US and NATO into the conflict."

"The actions of Putin and Russia are disgusting. However leaders, together with Zelensky, ought to NOT push misinformation on America. I'm praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian folks. Pray additionally we're not drawn into battle primarily based on international leaders pushing misinformation," Cawthorn stated in one other tweet.

After WRAL printed the video of Cawthorn's remarks on Thursday, North Carolina Republican State Senator Chuck Edwards, who's difficult the congressman within the Republican major, criticized him on Twitter. Cawthorn is operating for reelection in 2022.

"Let's be clear. The thug is Vladimir Putin. We should unite as a nation to hope for President Zelensky and the courageous folks of Ukraine who're combating for his or her lives and their freedom," Edwards acknowledged.

"Something much less is counter to every part we stand for in America," the state senator added.

Replace 3/10/22 2:10 PM ET, This story was up to date with further particulars.