The question is why…why is he so fond of Putin?
I don't know. As you know, I'm not clever about people. So many motivations have been proposed...does Trump envision a new world order in which he rules (I don't think he plans to leave office) his sphere, Putin rules his and Xi rules his? Or, does he just like hanging around with powerful bullies, people he relates to and can understand? Trump is an oligarch...no question. The U. S. is becoming a kleptocracy. Is that the model? Business, making money, exploiting resources and the public purse for personal gain?
I don't know. I only know he is not dealing with domestic politics and geopolitical reality as an idealist, as a person who believes in democracy and rule of law.
Very discouraging.