Putin Picks Biden: Russian Leader Finds No Fault with Biden’s Cognitive Abilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin 2019 Free Wind 2014 Shutterstock
image credit: Free-Wind-2014/Shutterstock

At what point does a foreign leader commenting on another nation’s domestic affairs constitute election interference? Russian President Vladimir Putin’s face and words have been plastered all over print and social media recently due to a lengthy and much-anticipated interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson last week and for stating his preference for President Biden over former President Trump in the 2024 election. With a history of alleged Russian interference in past election cycles, how much attention should be given to Putin’s remarks?

Putin’s Preference for Biden Over Trump

Vladimir Putin Russia President Aynur Mammadov Shutterstock
image credit: Aynur-Mammadov/Shutterstock

Putin recently expressed a preference for Joe Biden over Donald Trump for the U.S. presidency, citing Biden’s experience and predictability as key factors. This declaration came during an interview with Pavel Zarubin, marking Putin’s clearest public stance on the forthcoming American presidential race.

Trump and Biden Respond to Putin’s Assertion

Former President Donald Trump Republican Evan El Amin Shutterstock (1)
image credit: Evan El Amin/Shutterstock

Despite the potential for these comments to be viewed as political interference, they were quickly acknowledged by Trump and criticized by the Biden administration, which promptly advised Putin to refrain from involving himself in U.S. electoral matters.

Comment on Biden’s Cognitive Ability

President Joe Biden Democrat Consolidated News Photos Shutterstock
image credit: Consolidated News Photos/Shutterstock

The Zarubin interview also ventured into Biden’s cognitive abilities, a topic of speculation among critics. Putin remarked on his interactions with Biden during a 2021 meeting in Geneva, indicating that he observed no signs of the alleged mental incapacity.

Biden’s Antagonism to Putin

Politics US President Joe Biden 2022 Luca Perra Shutterstock
image credit: Luca-Perra/Shutterstock

Biden’s tenure has been marked by strong opposition to Putin, including labeling the Russian leader as a killer, dictator, and thug. This administration has also spearheaded international responses to Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, which included significant economic sanctions and military aid to Ukraine. 

Trump Conciliatory Toward Putin Before Ukraine Invasion

Politics Trump as President COVID 2020 Evan El Amin shutterstock
image credit: Evan-El-Amin/Shutterstock

On the other hand, Trump’s tenure saw a more conciliatory stance towards Putin, despite investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election favoring Trump. Of course, Putin did not invade Ukraine until Biden was in office in February 2022, potentially due to Putin’s perception of Biden’s strategy in foreign policy. 

Biden as Predictable, Old-School Statesman

US President Joe Biden EU Flag 2022 Alexandros Michailidis Shutterstock
image credit: Alexandros-Michailidis/Shutterstock

Putin’s description of Biden as a more predictable, “old-school” statesman begs the question of whether the Russian leader would have invaded Ukraine under a Trump presidency, given that his rulebook is not as predictable or conventional as that of President Biden. 

Mr. Putin Should Stay Out of America’s Elections

Politics The White House USA Andrea Izzotti Shutterstock
image credit: Andrea-Izzotti/Shutterstock

While the White House swiftly responded that “Mr. Putin should stay out of America’s elections,” Trump told his fans at a rally this week that he considers it “a great compliment… [that] Putin is not a fan of mine.”

Biden and Putin on NATO

US President Joe Biden 2023 Muhammad Aamir Sumsum Shutterstock
image credit: Muhammad-Aamir-Sumsum/Shutterstock

Putin relies on by-the-book political calculus, which the Biden administration is apt to adhere to. It is not surprising to hear President Biden reaffirm America’s commitment to its NATO allies even while Putin challenges potential NATO expansion. 

Trump Unpredictable Diplomacy

trump presidential rally donald evan el amin shutterstock
image credit: donald-evan-el-amin/shutterstock

Trump is impulsive and novel in his diplomacy, which causes unpredictability for all involved, including the studied Putin, who likes to have all contingencies accounted for. 

Putin Going Public in 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin Chinese President Xi Jinping 2016 Muhammad Aamir Sumsum Shutterstock
image credit: Muhammad-Aamir-Sumsum/Shutterstock

Americans should wonder why Putin is suddenly addressing them directly and engaging in interviews that will undoubtedly enter U.S. awareness, such as his comments regarding American presidential frontrunners. There is a term for this in public policy circles called “going public.” 

Russian President Vladimir Putin Sebastian Castelier Shutterstock
image credit: Sebastian-Castelier/Shutterstock

Going public occurs when a state leader, such as a president or party leader, appeals as directly to a populace as possible. Rather than engaging in traditional diplomatic channels, which are not as available to Putin as he is essentially persona non grata in American civic relations, the Russian leader sat for an hour-long interview with a popular conservative media personality to communicate with the general population.

Appeals to Public Opinion to Influence Policy

Tucker Carlson News Aleksandr Dyskin Shutterstock
image credit: Aleksandr Dyskin/Shutterstock

The goal and strategy behind “going public” is to circumvent the norms of traditional institutions and appeal to public opinion to mobilize and influence policy in yet another form of election interference. However, the outcome remains to be understood.

Carlson-Putin Interview Has 14 Million Views on YouTube, 185 Million Views on X

Celebrity Politician Tucker Carlson Trump 2022 laughing L.E.MORMILE Shutterstock
image credit: L.E.MORMILE/Shutterstock

Within three days, the interview between Carlson and Putin had 14 million views on YouTube and 185 million views on X (formerly Twitter). The interview captured the interest of Republican lawmakers and the public, as many American viewers had not seen Putin in personal conversation before, certainly not since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Partial GOP Response to Interview

US Senator Congressman Republican J.D. Vance Consolidated News Photos Shutterstock
image credit: Consolidated News Photos/Shutterstock

Notably, Sen. Ron Johnson from Wisconsin acknowledged the accuracy of several statements made by Putin during the discussion, even as he has reconsidered his position regarding continued support for Ukraine. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), while not agreeing with Putin’s conclusions, expressed admiration for the Russian leader’s conviction and knowledge of history. J.D. Vance of Ohio found the interview intriguing, emphasizing the importance of understanding the narratives nations construct about themselves and their adversaries in comprehending global affairs.

Content of Interview

Vladimir Putin, the President Russia Sasa Dzambic Photography Shutterstock
image credit: Sasa Dzambic Photography/Shutterstock

Throughout the interview, Putin touched on a range of topics, including the imprisonment of a Wall Street Journal reporter and Russia’s territorial claims in Ukraine. He also referenced U.S. domestic politics, which seemed to resonate with a conservative audience.

Democratic Response to Putin’s Platform

Russian President Vladimir Putin Asatur Yesayants Shutterstock
image credit: Asatur Yesayants/Shutterstock

The interview received a mixed response from Democrats, with some criticizing Carlson for providing Putin a platform for propaganda. Even since the interview, the Kremlin has hosted showings of the interview in Russian theaters, revealing that Putin finds the interview portrays him in a sympathetic, serious, and positive light. 

Putin Has “Gone Public” with His Diplomatic Interests

Chinese president Xi Jinping Russian President Vladimir 2016 Putinplavi011 Shutterstock
image credit: Putinplavi011/Shutterstock

In sitting for a lengthy interview broadcast directly to users via YouTube and X, Putin has “gone public” with his diplomatic interests. Americans should remain skeptical when considering Putin’s opinion on the better choice for president of the United States and his intentions behind such a statement.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Post
President Joe Biden Democrat Paris Malone Shutterstock

Biden Turns to TikTok in Hail Mary Attempt to Salvage Young Voters

Next Post
Celebrity Politician Hillary Clinton Evan El Amin Shutterstock

Hillary Clinton Warns of Trump’s Threat to Abandon NATO Allies and Threaten Democracy

Related Posts