Internet suspects ‘propaganda message’ as Trump says Putin preferring Biden over him to win US election is a compliment

NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA: Former President Donald Trump responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's preference for President Joe Biden to win the 2024 presidential election over him, calling it a "great compliment," reported ABC News.

In an interview with a Russian television correspondent on February 14, Putin was asked who would be a better choice from a Russian perspective.

"Biden, he's more experienced, more predictable, he's a politician of the old formation," he replied. "But we will work with any US leader whom the American people trust."

Speaking to voters at a campaign rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday, February 14, Trump said, "President Putin of Russia has just given me a great compliment, actually. He just said that he would much rather have Joe Biden as President than Trump."

"Now that's a compliment. ... And of course, he would say that."

Putin's remarks came less than a week after Trump threatened NATO allies who failed to pay their dues that he would not only abandon them in the event of a Russian attack but would instead "encourage" Russia.

Trump claims Biden will give Ukraine to Putin

The former President redirected Putin's choice of Biden over him to attack his predecessor and likely opponent in the upcoming presidential election.

"I stopped Nord Stream 2, and [Biden] approved it right after I left, so Putin is not a fan of mine actually," Trump said.

During his presidency, Trump imposed sanctions on Russia's state-owned gas company, Gazprom, that halted the construction of the Nord Stream pipeline, as per a BBC report. However, Biden later waived the sanctions, drawing criticisms that it would grant Russia energy dominance over Europe.

"He doesn't want to have me. He wants Biden because he's going to be given everything he wants, including Ukraine," Trump continued.

"He's gonna have his dream of getting Ukraine because of Biden ... The only President in the last five that hasn't given Russia anything is a president known as Donald J. Trump."

The former President at the North Charleston rally also doubled down on his position to not defend NATO allies who don't pay their "fair share" in the wake of a Russian attack. 

Recalling his conversation with a country head asking if the US would protect them from Russia after failing to pay the dues, Trump explicitly asserted, "I'm not going to protect you."

Nevertheless, in his latest interview, Putin sided with his former US counterpart, claiming the remarks were the continuation of his NATO policies during the first term to increase the defense spending from the alliance's European allies.

Internet reacts to Trump's remarks

Responding to Trump taking Putin's remarks as a compliment, social media users claimed the whole thing was a "game" and a "propaganda message" ahead of the pivotal 2024 presidential election that would be a potential Biden vs Trump showdown.

One user stated, "The Game of Presidents. Putin owns Trump."

Another user remarked, "It's a propaganda message for the west: if you are against Putin, you're against Biden, so Trump wins. And so Putin wins. That's why its a compliment for Trump."

A Facebook user commented, "That’s just strategic. That’s what he wants people to believe so Trump will win."

"That's gotta hurt his iddy biddy heart," a second user wrote.

Another response read, "First time Trump has shown maturity for not responding rudely to opposing comment for his USA Presidential Preference."

One user said, "I call it a game...they are playing."

Another user added, "Trump doesn’t even realize how Putin manipulates him. It’s almost comical if not so scary."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.