Woodward reports that one former intelligence analyst specializing in Russian affairs believed that Trump idolized Putin, making him open to manipulation. This dynamic facilitated a dangerous exchange during the Covid-19 crisis, where Trump secretly sent Abbott Point of Care Covid test machines to Putin for his personal use, despite potentially needing those resources for Americans in crisis. This act illustrates a concerning level of trust Trump placed in Putin, who then insisted on keeping this exchange confidential, revealing the manipulative nature of their relationship.
In this telling, Woodward provides insight into how Putin leveraged Trump's misplaced idolization to extract sensitive favors, suggesting that Putin viewed himself strategically while simultaneously manipulating Trump’s perceptions. Notably, HR McMaster’s reflections on their interactions underscore the ongoing volatile dynamics, emphasizing Trump’s vulnerability to manipulation. McMaster serves as a witness to how Trump consistently dismissed assertions of Putin's malign influence, prioritizing his flattery over sound intelligence and advice from seasoned officials.
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