Trump Says Putin Called Him The ‘Toughest’ President

[ad_1]

Donald Trump touted his relationship with Vladimir Putin at a rally in South Carolina. Trump said Putin described him as “vicious,” but they still got along. Trump often talks about how his relationship with Putin is positive. Loading Something is loading.

Thanks for the note!

Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you’re on the go. download the app

Former President Donald Trump boasted about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin while speaking at a rally in South Carolina on Saturday.

“As Putin said, ‘You are the worst president ever.’ No president has ever done this to me. And yet, I got to be with him. Isn’t it nice?” Trump told his MAGA supporters in Pickens, a rural community in the southern state.

Acyn (@Acyn) July 1, 2023

During his presidency, Trump appeared friendly to Putin and was reluctant to criticize Russia over reports of interference in the 2016 US presidential election. His administration has also imposed several rounds of sanctions on the country.

Trump continued to praise Putin for being “brilliant” and a “genius” even as he embarked on his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

He often baselessly claims that Putin would never have invaded Ukraine if he had still been president.

President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke as they made their way to take a “family photo” at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit in the central city of Danang in Vietnam on November 11, 2017. JORGE SILVA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Trump often praises world leaders who are seen as strongmen or dictators, such as Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping who have also been accused of being authoritarian.

Despite Trump’s claims of a relationship of mutual respect with Putin, other Washington insiders have previously indicated that this is not the case.

Fiona Hill, who served as the top Russian adviser on the National Security Council under Trump, has previously said that Putin often gets frustrated with Trump because of his lack of knowledge on big issues.

[ad_2]