Republican says the “bad guys” won World War II

Minnesota GOP Senate candidate Royce White is facing mounting criticism after a tweet resurfaced in which he claimed that the “bad guys” won World War II, a comment that has brought a backlash.

In the 2022 tweet, White wrote, “It dawned on me today…The bad guys won in WWII. There were no ‘good guys’ in that war. The controlling interests had a jump ball. If you look closely, you see the link between liberalism and communism in the Allied forces. Remember what Gen. Patton said and why they capped him.”

The backlash quickly followed after the post was resurfaced by Heartland Signal, a Midwestern digital newsroom. His tweet brought criticism from numerous users on X (formerly Twitter) and from organizations like VoteVets, a nonprofit representing military veterans, families and “progressive values.” The group condemned the comments, stating, “This isn’t just bizarre—it’s reprehensible.”

Asked about his remarks, White told Newsweek that his post was not intended to address the U.S. or its Allies but was instead a critique of the post-World War II alliance between the U.S. and Russia and the events that followed.

“By ‘bad guys,’ I mean those who benefited from World War II without fighting in it—people who funded the wars, gained political power or institutional prominence,” he said. “I’m talking about entities like the United Nations, which I’m not the first to criticize, and organizations like the [International Monetary Fund] and the World Bank. The crony capitalism that spread globally after the war—yes, they won World War II.”

This controversy is part of a pattern of inflammatory remarks from White, a former NBA player who has encountered criticism for his controversial comments, such as defending slave owners during a podcast or his claim that the Civil War was partly fought to protect “the rights of the minority,” which also led to a significant backlash.

White’s campaign, already seen as a long shot, has been further undermined by reports of erratic behavior and clashes with Republican leadership. He has openly criticized key figures within his own party, calling Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell “RINO scum” and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines a “RINO & Neocon.”

His abrasive attitude has extended to voters as well, with one recent exchange resulting in a potential supporter withdrawing support after White dismissed the person’s concerns​.

Despite his controversial platform, White has garnered attention in conservative circles, largely due to his association with right-wing figures such as conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and political strategist Steve Bannon.

Ahead of the Senate election on November 5, White trails significantly behind Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar in the polls. With Klobuchar holding a lead of 8 to 14 points, White’s campaign appears unlikely to overcome the combined weight of his controversial comments and voter alienation.

White is also under investigation for potential campaign finance violations. A complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission alleges that he misappropriated over $157,000 in donor funds for personal use, including payments to a strip club, according to the Associated Press. If found guilty, White could face significant fines or imprisonment.