Previous American national security advisor asserted that Putin held a mesmerizing influence over Trump
According to the ex-US National Security Advisor, General H.R. McMaster, Putin, a cunning former KGB agent, skillfully manipulated then-President Donald Trump using flattery. This is detailed in McMaster's forthcoming book "At War With Ourselves: My Time in the Trump White House," as reported by the "Guardian".
McMaster accuses Putin of playing on Trump's ego and insecurities, using flattery. Putin had referred to Trump as "an extraordinary person with no doubt about his abilities," and Trump appeared to be receptive to this approach, favoring strongmen and believing he alone could establish a beneficial relationship with Putin. Putin apparently had a mesmerizing impact on Trump, according to McMaster. He himself had warned Trump at the time: "Mr. President, he's the best liar in the world." Putin had already outsmarted Trump's predecessors, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Putin's flattery was a calculated effort by the Kremlin chief to win Trump over and drive a wedge between him and his Washington advisors, who were advocating for a tougher stance against the Kremlin.
Putin's Calculated Move
In his own words, McMaster hinted to the US president that Putin believed he could "handle" Trump and secure a relaxation of sanctions, as well as a quick withdrawal of US troops from Syria and Afghanistan. "I said my piece. I hoped he would disagree with the Russian dictator instead of me," McMaster noted.
However, Trump seemed to grow tired of this "negative atmosphere." McMaster recalls being criticized by Trump - at the G-20 summit in Hamburg in July 2017. At the time, Trump and Putin were engaged in hours of conversation, with the "Guardian" reporting an "emerging bromance."
Trump did not tolerate criticism of Putin from his own staff, which ultimately led to McMaster's dismissal after serving for over a year. Among other reasons, McMaster reportedly angered Trump with his remark at the 2018 Munich Security Conference that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential election.
"He leads his country, at least he's a leader"
Even during the 2016 campaign, Trump displayed pro-Moscow leanings. Not only did he hint at recognizing the Crimea annexed by Russia, but he also lauded Putin as "a leader, at least he's a leader, unlike what we have here in our country."
With this leader, Trump suggested, he could quickly reach an agreement. At least, he repeatedly asserted that he could bring an end to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine in the shortest time possible. And, in general, he claimed that there would have been no Russian attack on Ukraine's neighboring country if he were president.
The Commission might find McMaster's allegations against Putin's manipulation of Trump compelling, as outlined in his book "At War With Ourselves." McMaster's warnings about Putin's deceptive nature and ability to manipulate even strong leaders like Trump were disregarded by the former US president.
