Former President Donald Trump said Thursday that he didn’t know “what to say” after Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 race.
Putin made the wry remarks during an economic forum in Russia stating that the Kremlin would back the candidate President Joe Biden chose to replace him.
“[We] will do the same; we will support her,” Putin said. “She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means that everything is fine with her.”
Speaking at the Economic Club of New York on Thursday, Trump said Putin’s statements left him confused.
“Putin came out today; he endorsed Kamala. And I didn’t know, was I supposed to call him up and say ‘Thank you very; much I appreciate it?’ But he endorsed Kamala – I don’t know- I don’t know exactly what to say about that. I don’t know if I’m insulted or if he did me a favor.”
Former Defense Intelligence Agency officer Rebekah Koffler said Putin’s endorsement should not be taken at face value.
“The Russians don’t really endorse anyone in the traditional sense. When it comes to preference, Putin and his regime prefer Kamala to deal with as a future U.S. President,” Koffler said.
“Putin believes that he can manipulate Harris easily, unlike Trump, whom the Russians profiled as unpredictable and difficult to read.”
