Putin Favors Kamala Harris Over Trump for US President, Citing "Contagious Laugh" and Hopes for Fewer Sanctions

On September 5, Russian leader Vladimir Putin suggested that he would prefer Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris over her Republican rival, Donald Trump, for the next US president.

Putin reiterated his previous stance that he favored incumbent President Biden, noting that Biden was a more "predictable" and "traditional" politician. However, with Biden having exited the race and endorsed Harris, Putin now claims support for her as the candidate.

"He [Biden - Ed.] recommended supporting Ms Harris. And we will do so," the Russian leader said.

Putin explained his preference by citing Trump's imposition of severe sanctions on Russia during his presidency, hoping that Harris would “refrain from doing so.”

"Her [Harris’s – Ed.] laugh is so contagious, which means that she is doing well. And if Ms. Harris is doing well, she may refrain from such actions [imposing sanctions]," Putin said.

Sanctions against Moscow were imposed by both the Obama and Trump administrations, with Russia becoming the most heavily sanctioned nation globally following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine during the Biden administration.

This statement follows the US announcement of a broad crackdown on Russian interference in American elections. Moscow has previously been accused of using disinformation campaigns to support Trump against Hillary Clinton and Biden in the 2016 and 2020 elections.