In a teasing comment, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia wants Kamala Harris to win the U.S. presidential election, citing her “infectious” laugh as a reason for favoring her over Donald Trump. Putin’s remark came a day after the U.S. Justice Department charged two Russian media executives over an alleged scheme to influence the November election with pro-Russian propaganda.
Earlier this year, before President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, Putin had ironically stated a preference for Biden over Trump, calling Biden a more predictable “old school” politician. However, U.S. intelligence agencies believe that Moscow actually wants Trump to win, as he is perceived to be less committed to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Asked about his view on the U.S. election now, Putin, speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia’s Far East, said it was up to the American people to decide. However, he added humorously that since Biden had recommended his supporters back Harris, “we will do the same, we will support her.” His remark drew smiles and applause from the audience.
Putin expanded on his view of Harris, saying, “She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means that everything is fine with her,” suggesting, perhaps jokingly, that this might mean she would refrain from further sanctions against Russia. He contrasted Harris with Trump, stating that Trump had imposed more sanctions against Russia than any previous U.S. president.
“Ultimately, the choice is up to the American people, and we will respect that choice,” Putin concluded.
U.S. intelligence previously determined that Russia ran a disinformation campaign in favor of Trump against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Despite the Kremlin’s denials of election meddling, the late Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner mercenary group, boasted in 2022 about interfering in U.S. elections.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Justice Department filed money-laundering charges against two employees of Russian state broadcaster RT for allegedly hiring a U.S. company to produce online content aimed at influencing this year’s election. In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would target U.S. media.
The ongoing tension between the U.S. and Russia has been marked by accusations of interference in each other’s domestic politics. The U.S. has accused Russia of using various means, including social media manipulation and propaganda campaigns, to sway public opinion and outcomes in its favor. Russia has consistently denied these allegations, though statements from figures like Prigozhin suggest a different narrative.
Putin’s comments, while made in jest, reflect the complex relationship between the two countries, especially with the upcoming U.S. elections and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The U.S. government’s recent legal actions against Russian entities accused of attempting to meddle in the 2024 election add further strain to diplomatic relations.
