Trump And Putin: A Dangerous Duo
It’s no secret that Donald Trump has a strange and longstanding obsession with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Ever since he first ran for president, Trump has lavished the Russian dictator with praise, and enacted policies that undermine U.S. interests while supporting Putin’s.
In many ways, Trump and Putin are mirror images of one another, especially when it comes to their work to suppress democracy, amplify dangerous propaganda, and undermine the alliances the United States has spent decades building. Let’s take a look at Trump and Putin’s startling similarities – and why they pose a danger to America’s national security.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has consistently bent over backwards for Putin, echoed Kremlin talking points, and treated Ukraine – not Russia – as the aggressor.
In February 2025, Trump labeled Ukrainian President Zelensky a “dictator,” accused him of corruption, and blamed Ukraine for starting the war with Russia – echoing the Kremlin’s talking points.
The Trump Administration has issued no new sanctions against Russia. In some cases, the administration has even eased restrictions. Trump also blocked a bipartisan bill to enact sanctions on Russia – which is supported by more than 80 Senators.
Trump pushed Ukraine to accept a “final offer,” demanding it cede Crimea and occupied territories to Russia, while rejecting NATO membership and security guarantees – all without extracting concessions from Putin.
Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine have doubled since Trump took office, and the Ukrainian military continues to suffer high casualties. The war is worse now than ever.
Trump has always admired Putin – so much so that he has consistently sided with the Russian dictator over our own intelligence agencies and closest allies.
In 2018, at their infamous Helsinki press conference, Trump took Putin at his word, rejecting the U.S. intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential election. While in the Oval Office, Trump revealed extremely sensitive classified information to Russian officials.
Trump consistently attacks or undermines European leaders, no doubt pleasing Putin in the process. Trump has blamed NATO for Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, refused to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to NATO’s mutual defense pact, and repeatedly discussed withdrawing from the alliance. Trump even invited Putin to attack our NATO allies – saying that the Russians could “do whatever the hell they want” with them.
Trump wants to be just like his “good friend” Putin – following his lead in attacking democracy, stacking the government with yes-men, and tearing down the norms that have safeguarded our democracy for decades.
Trump and Putin have both disputed or tried to overturn elections in their respective countries; suggested or actively used state violence against their opposition; and installed loyalists and yes-men to do their bidding. Both men are also known for purging government officials who they view as insufficiently loyal.
In an attempt to lift up his like-minded opponent of global democracy, Putin worked actively to support Donald Trump in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections.
Trump has never been able to stand up to Putin. Throughout his first term, Trump’s response was to deny, to deflect, and – most humiliatingly – to remain silent, even when American lives are at stake.
During Trump’s first term, American troops and Russian mercenaries clashed in Syria, exchanging fire in a deadly confrontation that put U.S. lives at risk. In a separate incident, Russian forces injured seven American service members. Neither of these incidents solicited a response from Trump, let alone consequences for Putin, who enabled this dangerous behavior.
In 2019, Trump ordered that military support for Ukraine be frozen until they announced a fabricated investigation into President Biden’s family ahead of the 2020 election. Trump’s withholding of aid threatened to undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
When asked why he hadn’t publicly called on Putin to release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was being unjustly detained in Russia, Trump explained “I guess because I have so many other things I’m working on.” The Biden-Harris Administration successfully negotiated the release of Gershkovich and other wrongfully detained individuals from Russia in 2024.
Published: June 2024
Updated: August 2025