Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast Garry Kasparov: No, Trump Is Not Being Tough on Putin
Jul 16, 2025
Garry Kasparov, a former world chess champion and democracy activist, discusses the dangerous implications of Donald Trump's admiration for Vladimir Putin. He highlights how this relationship could undermine American democracy amidst growing autocratic tendencies. Kasparov delves into the historical context of Russia's warfare and Putin's ambitions, emphasizing the perilous situation in Ukraine. He warns that as critical elections approach, the fight to defend democracy becomes ever more urgent, especially with the potential threat of continued Republican influence.
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Kasparov's Journey Against Putin
- Garry Kasparov became disillusioned with Soviet propaganda early due to his international chess experience.
- He fought Putin's rise starting in the late 1980s, eventually fleeing Russia in 2013 due to political persecution.
Trump Empowers Putin's Survival
- Trump uses his presidential powers to support Putin by blocking meaningful sanctions and limiting aid to Ukraine.
- Despite rhetoric, Trump enables Putin's regime amid severe geopolitical tensions.
Putin's War as Power Strategy
- Putin views the war in Ukraine as a key step to restore Russian global dominance.
- Russian society is saturated with war propaganda portraying Ukraine as an existential enemy.
