 "Did Vladimir Putin just ‘endorse’ Kamala Harris or did he do Donald Trump a huge favour?")
During the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday, Putin stunned many with an unexpected endorsement of US Vice President Kamala Harris. “Our favourite, if you can call it that, was the current president, Mr. [Joe] Biden. But he was removed from the race, and he recommended all his supporters to support Ms. Harris. Well, we will do so – we will support her,” teased Putin with a noticeable smirk.
He continued, “She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means that she is doing well.” His comments about Harris’ infectious laughter were interpreted by some as a mocking gesture, especially given former US President Donald Trump’s frequent critiques of Harris’ public demeanor.
Putin also criticised former US president and now Republican nominee Donald Trump for placing “so many restrictions and sanctions against Russia like no other president has ever introduced before him.”
This unusual endorsement of Harris comes in light of US President Joe Biden stepping aside from the 2024 presidential race and supporting his vice president. However, given Putin’s history with US elections, some question whether this endorsement is genuine or a veiled attempt to interfere in the election by associating Harris with the often-maligned Russian president.
How did Donald Trump respond?
Donald Trump was quick to respond to Putin’s comments, albeit with mixed emotions. “I don’t know if I’m insulted or he did me a favour,” Trump said during a campaign stop in New York. Despite Putin’s apparent praise for Harris, Trump remains a potential beneficiary of Russian interference.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDONALD TRUMP:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 5, 2024
"Putin came out today. He endorsed Kamala."
"Was I supposed to call him up and say thank you very much?!"
"I don't know exactly what to say about that. I don't know if I'm insulted!" pic.twitter.com/r7uHy3E8Nz
US intelligence agencies have long suggested that Moscow favours Trump, largely due to his opposition to sanctions against Russia and his ambivalence toward aid for Ukraine.
Trump, during a question-and-answer session following his economic speech, criticised the continued use of sanctions against Russia.
He argued that sanctions, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, can undermine the US economy and the strength of the US dollar. “I want to use sanctions as little as possible,” Trump declared, adding that he would prefer to negotiate a settlement between Russia and Ukraine rather than continue the current strategies.
President Trump on sanctions, Russia and Ukraine: pic.twitter.com/0Rzcj52Yq3
— Colette Murphy (@Iammurphycolet) September 6, 2024
While US intelligence officials maintain that Russia is working to boost Trump’s chances in the 2024 election, Putin has continued to play both sides. Earlier this year, Putin praised Biden as a “more experienced” and “predictable” leader, even as he has downplayed Russia’s involvement in the 2024 race.
What may be behind Putin’s “endorsement”?
Putin’s endorsement of Harris echoes his actions during past US elections. In 2015, he praised Donald Trump as a “bright and talented person,” months before Trump secured the Republican nomination.
Trump was also the target of Putin’s favour during the 2016 election, where Russian interference via the hacking of Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails helped undermine Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
Putin, at the time, praised the email leaks as a service to the voters, saying, “The important thing is the content that was given to the public.”
Experts argue that Putin’s ultimate goal is to sow discord and undermine US democracy. By endorsing Harris, he may be employing a similar tactic as he did in 2016: appearing to back a candidate in a manner that could ultimately harm them.
In an interview with the media outlet Fourth Estate, exiled Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar, author of All the Kremlin’s Men, suggested that Putin sees US politics through the cynical lens of Netflix’s political drama House of Cards, which he reportedly recommended to his ministers. In this view, his endorsement could be more about disruption than genuine support.
Why now?
While Putin’s remarks were lighthearted on the surface, they came amidst serious allegations of Russian interference in US elections. The Biden administration has accused Russia of running extensive disinformation campaigns to boost Donald Trump’s candidacy.
US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco confirmed that three Russian companies, allegedly under Putin’s orders, have used fake social media profiles to push false narratives in favour of Trump and against Democratic candidates.
On Wednesday, federal prosecutors unsealed charges against two Russian citizens for running a $10 million campaign to sway the 2024 election.
US authorities also seized 32 Russian-backed websites that were designed to promote Trump’s campaign. Despite these allegations, Trump dismissed them as part of a recurring “Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax,” claiming that the Biden administration is using these charges to interfere in the election.
Also Read | 'Stop talking about our elections, period': US warns Putin after he 'endorses' Kamala Harris
The Kremlin, meanwhile, denies any involvement in US elections. Margarita Simonyan, head of Russian state broadcaster RT, mocked the allegations in a social media post, stating, “They called from 2016 and want all their tired clichés back.” US Treasury officials, however, have described Simonyan as a “central figure in Russian government malign influence efforts.”
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
