The Bunker

Inside Russia’s plot to put Trump back in the White House – with Gavin Esler and Joseph Webster

Jan 17, 2024

Gavin Esler and Joseph Webster discuss Russia's plot to put Trump back in the White House, including manipulating gasoline prices and perpetuating disinformation campaigns. They also explore the potential benefits for Russia under a Trump presidency and compare voter awareness between Taiwan and the United States.

25:15

Episode guests

Gavin Esler

Joseph Webster

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Gasoline prices can be manipulated by Russia to have a significant impact on US elections.

Russian disinformation campaigns are expected to persist in the 2024 US presidential election.

Deep dives

Russian Interference in Elections

The podcast discusses the degree of Russian interest and involvement in elections, particularly the upcoming 2024 US presidential election. It highlights that the Kremlin is highly interested in the election due to its importance for Russian interests, such as impacting the energy transition and diminishing the West's living standards. The podcast suggests that Russia may attempt to shape the election by influencing gasoline prices, raising them to reduce Biden's performance legitimacy and boost their preferred candidate, Donald Trump. Previous actions, like manipulating oil production, have been used to influence US elections, and the podcast speculates that the Kremlin will continue to pursue disinformation campaigns to sway the election.

Introduction

2min

Russian Interference and the US Election

7min

Disinformation Efforts by Russia in the United States

4min

Russia's Potential Benefits from a Trump Presidency

3min

The Difference Between Voters in Taiwan and the United States

3min

The 2024 US Presidential election will likely see Biden and Trump back on the ballot. And, if previous elections are anything to go by, Russia will play a key role in manipulating things in Trump’s favour. Joseph Webster, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and editor of the China-Russia report, joins Gavin Esler in The Bunker, to discuss what Russia seeks to gain out of a Trump presidency, and how they might just get it.

• “Gasoline prices are a major determinant in U.S. elections. Anything that Russia can do to lower or increase prices will have a big impact.” – Joseph Webster

• “Disinformation campaign efforts by the Russian state and by figures associated with the Russian state will almost certainly persist into 2024.” – Joseph Webster

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and Presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Bunker

Inside Russia’s plot to put Trump back in the White House – with Gavin Esler and Joseph Webster

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Russian Interference in Elections

Motivations for Russian Support of Trump

Voter Awareness and Disinformation

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts