The contradiction could not have been clearer. In Washington, Republican members of Congress wrote to Brussels warning that Poland’s electoral process was being skewed in favor of liberal candidate Rafał Trzaskowski.

In Jasionka, at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Kristi Noem told Polish voters they would be “blessed with Trump’s friendship” if they elected Nawrocki, while calling Trzaskowski a “hopeless leader” who would rule through fear. She tied future military support to the outcome. Both moves came within hours of each other.