Why did Vladimir Putin endorse Kamala Harris?

Russian President Vladimir Putin waded into US politics and the 2024 presidential election on Thursday speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Contrary to what one might expect given the stance of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris when it comes to him and his country, Putin said he favors the latter to win in November.

The Russian authoritarian leader said that, “so to say,” he had been rooting for President Biden to win reelection, but since he dropped out and told all his supporters to get behind Harris, he would be doing the same. Besides she has such an “expressive and infectious” laugh. That must mean that “she’s doing well,” he ventured.

As well, he criticized Trump saying that while he was president, Trump “imposed so many restrictions and sanctions against Russia. No president before him imposed so many,” Putin said. He mused that  perhaps since Harris is doing so well, that “she’ll refrain from such actions.”

So, is the bromance between Trump and Putin over? Not by the smirk on his face.

Why did Vladimir Putin endorse Kamala Harris?

Putin was up to his normal chicanery, and he wasn’t even attempting to hide it. Even the moderator asking him questions and audience were clearly aware that his endorsement of Harris and criticism of Trump were bogus by the out-and-out laughter the Russian’s pronouncements prompted in them.

Putin was merely attempting to distract from the news that he and his underlings are once again trying to interfer in the US elections and have a little fun with it at the same time. The comment about Harris’ laugh, was most likely Putin parroting one of the ways that right-wing media has tried to attack the Democratic candidate in order to troll her. Saying that “she is doing so well,” that she’ll refrain from imposing more sanctions seemed more like a mob boss making a not so slight hint.

The reason why his meddling in the US elections was in the news was because just yesterday, the Justice Department announced that it has filed criminal charges against two Russian nationals, who are employed by the Russian state-controlled media outlet RT. They are accused of funneling $10 million through a Tennessee-based media company to spread Kremlin propaganda. The founders of the company allegedly knew that the money was coming from Russia and used it to get right-wing online commentators to spread disinformation unwittingly.

Furthermore, in another legal filing the Justice Department seized 32 internet domains that were being used in “Doppelganger” foreign malign influence campaigns. These impersonated legitimate news sites like the Washington Post and Fox News to covertly spread Kremlin propaganda. This operation was controlled directly by Putin’s inner circle with the goal of “securing Russia’s preferred outcome in the election.”

One of the main aims of the campaigns was to “reduce international support for Ukraine” as well as “bolster Russian policies and interests.” The Biden administration has been a stalwart in the effort to get aid to Ukraine so that it can defend itself against the ongoing Russia invasion.

On the other hand, if Trump were to return to the White House experts believe that would “not be the best scenario for Ukraine.” Additionally, his running mate, JD Vance, has said that he “doesn’t really care” about the nation currently besieged by Russia.