Putin may have manipulated Trump with unnecessary flattery, new book suggests

Former US President Donald Trump reportedly made significant efforts during his presidency to forge closer relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 US elections and strong objections from his advisors.

The claims were made by the former US National Security Adviser in the Trump administration, HR McMaster, in a new memoir. An excerpt of the book was published in the Wall Street Journal on Saturday.

McMaster's revelations emerge at a crucial time as Americans prepare to decide whether Trump should return to the White House in front of the Democrat presidential candidate and the current US Vice President Kamala Harris.

The book also comes as US officials warn of renewed foreign attempts to influence the upcoming presidential election.

McMaster, a former lieutenant general, recounts his frustration with Trump’s efforts to engage with Putin.

"After over a year in this job, I cannot understand Putin's hold on Trump," McMaster wrote, reflecting on a conversation with his wife in March 2018.

Appointed in February 2017, McMaster quickly found that discussing Russia with Trump was fraught with difficulty. He claims that Trump frequently linked discussions about Russia to the investigation into Moscow’s interference in the 2016 election, which overshadowed his entire presidency.

The memoir also details Trump’s early attempts to improve relations with Russia by building a personal rapport with Putin, despite warnings from his national security team. McMaster suggests that the Russian president, a "ruthless former KGB operator," skillfully exploited Trump’s ego and insecurities through flattery.

Also watch |Putin visit China: Former US President Donald Trump says, 'Xi & Putin meeting to 'do damage''

Tensions between McMaster and Trump reportedly escalated over the president’s approach to Putin.

One significant point of contention occurred in March 2018, following Putin’s re-election to a fourth term. According to McMaster, Trump insisted on congratulating Putin, despite warnings that the vote had been rigged.

Despite these warnings, Trump proceeded with the call and even extended an invitation for Putin to visit the White House. McMaster believes that his eventual dismissal was due in part to his warnings about Putin’s manipulation of Trump and other US politicians to undermine American confidence in democratic institutions.

McMaster was replaced by John Bolton just days later, marking another change in Trump’s national security team.