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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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.”
Going Public Involves Direct Appeal, In This Case Through Popular Interview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.