Donald Trump is careful not to criticize Vladimir Putin. The former American president, who aims to become one again, broke his silence on the “sudden” death of Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny this Monday, December 19, to attack… the administration of Joe Biden .
The arch-favorite in the Republican primaries with a view to the November presidential election had not said or written a word about Navalny’s death announced Friday in an Arctic prison, nor about Moscow nor the Kremlin. In a message Monday on his Truth Social network, Donald Trump wrote: “The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me increasingly aware of what is happening in our country.” “It’s a slow and steady progression that is leading us on the path to destruction with crooked politicians, prosecutors and judges of the radical left,” lamented the businessman and political tribune without mentioning the Russian president.
He attacked the administration of President Biden who succeeded him in January 2021. “Open borders, rigged elections and downright unfair court rulings ARE DESTROYING AMERICA. WE ARE A DECLINED AND FAILING NATION ! MAGA 2024”, concluded Donald Trump with his favorite campaign slogans in capital letters.
A “unhinged” publication
Nikki Haley, her only competitor in the Republican primaries, responded immediately by criticizing a “crazy” publication which “compares America to Russia”, and where Donald Trump “makes himself appear to be the victim”. “Did he condemn Putin as the bully he is? No. Did he praise Navalny’s courageous fight? No. Did he acknowledge Putin’s role in the assassination of Navalny and so many others who dared to oppose the Russian dictator? Of course not,” protested the Republican candidate.
Navalny’s death, on which the Kremlin remains silent, provoked a wave of indignation from Western countries, with President Joe Biden saying that his Russian counterpart was “responsible”.