The David Frum Show Why Trump Sides With Putin
44 snips
Jan 21, 2026 
Fiona Hill, a former U.S. government adviser and renowned expert on Russia, joins to unravel why Trump is captivated by strongman power. She explores Putin's strategic long game in Ukraine, shedding light on his worldview and the geopolitical consequences of Trump's presidency. The discussion delves into their psychological alignment and how Trump's actions bolster Putin's influence while eroding U.S. credibility. Hill highlights Russia's economic vulnerabilities and the potential future scenarios for Putin's regime.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Tariffs And Lies Raise Grocery Prices
- David Frum argues Trump repeatedly lies about grocery prices while policy choices like tariffs deliberately raise food costs.
- This breach of truthful promise corrodes voters' trust and damages the bond between government and citizens.
Putin's Worldview: Might Makes Right
- Fiona Hill says Putin prefers a world where 'might makes right' and transactional strongmen politics dominate.
- That worldview makes Putin comfortable with leaders like Trump and Xi who privilege top-down power over democratic norms.
Ukraine War: Blunder Turned Endurance Bet
- Fiona Hill calls Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine a catastrophic blunder that became a prolonged, costly war.
- Still, Putin bets on survivalist endurance and that others will tire before he does.
