Summary
Putin’s actions after Trump’s election, including a delayed congratulations and a denial of a phone call, suggest a lack of respect for Trump’s personal relationship with him.
Russia’s intelligence chief’s statement that Trump owes them favors for their support in his election, along with hints that he is expected to “pay back” certain obligations, amounts to a bold threat of blackmail.
Trump’s foreign policy, which favors a realignment with Russia, may be challenged by Putin’s actions and the revelation of Russian interference in the election.
He’s proud of that. That’s not shaming him.
There’s other things, like not giving a phone call congratulations. Putin quite obviously thinks Trump is a clod to be controlled.
And Trump certainly is! I’m not saying he’s not. I’m saying A) Russian statements are best ignored, and B) Trump is shallow, and the fact that his trophy wife is displayed publicly naked won’t trouble him at all.
There’s a trick you can do with what political leaders say. You don’t have to take them at their word, but they are saying things for a strategically chosen reason. You can work from that to take a good guess at their actions.
Oh they were shaming him all right. How he personally thinks about it is quite irrelevant, he still has enough wherewithal to understand how it’s meant and what impact it has on other people.
Nope. He will be proud. I guarantee it.
I won’t argue against him being proud. But he’s also going to be pissed.