The Obsolete Show

The Obsolete Show Presents: “Trump’s Policies vs. Putin’s Playbook” – A Two-Part Special with Het Mophant

Welcome to a special two-part investigation on The Obsolete Show, where resident economist, political analyst, and unapologetic truth-teller Het Mophant dissects one of the most unsettling questions of our time: How closely do Donald Trump’s policies align with what Vladimir Putin would want if he controlled the U.S. presidency?

In Part One, Het examines Trump’s foreign policy, unpacking how his approach to NATO, Ukraine, global alliances, and economic sanctions echoes Putin’s strategic objectives. Is Trump’s second-term agenda simply “America First,” or does it inadvertently (or deliberately) weaken U.S. influence while advancing Russian interests?

In Part Two, Het shifts focus to Trump’s domestic and economic policies—from tax cuts and government dismantling to trade wars and authoritarian governance. Are these policies fostering national strength, or are they gutting America from within, mirroring Putin’s own model of oligarchic rule?

Armed with cold facts and biting analysis, Het Mophant takes no prisoners in this deep dive into whether Trump’s presidency serves American interests—or Putin’s vision of a weakened, divided United States.

Part 2: Domestic Policy

How does Trump foreign policy align with what Putin would want if he controlled POTUS?

In his second term, President Donald Trump’s domestic policies exhibit notable alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategic objectives. These policies encompass economic restructuring, consolidation of executive power, and shifts in social governance, all of which can be perceived as advancing Russia’s interests by potentially weakening the United States internally.

1. Economic Restructuring and Oligarchic Tendencies

• Tax Reforms Favoring the Wealthy: The administration has implemented significant tax cuts amounting to $4.5 trillion over the next decade, primarily benefiting corporations and the affluent. This approach mirrors Russia’s economic model, where wealth is concentrated among a select elite, fostering an oligarchic system.
• Erosion of Free-Market Principles: There is a discernible shift towards an economic framework where success is increasingly tied to political allegiance rather than market competitiveness. This environment undermines traditional capitalist dynamics, resembling the state-controlled economic practices observed in Russia.

2. Consolidation of Executive Power and Authoritarian Parallels

• Centralization of Authority: The administration has undertaken measures that centralize power within the executive branch, including significant restructuring of federal agencies and the dismissal of numerous federal employees. Such actions parallel Putin’s governance style, characterized by a strong central authority with diminished institutional checks and balances.
• Suppression of Dissent and Civil Liberties: The dissolution of the Social Security Administration’s civil rights office and the implementation of policies that may curtail civil liberties reflect a governance approach that suppresses dissent, akin to practices in Russia.

3. Social Governance and Internal Division

• Reduction of Social Services: Proposed cuts, such as the $800 billion reduction in Medicaid funding, could exacerbate social inequalities and tensions within the U.S. This strategy aligns with a divide-and-rule tactic, potentially destabilizing societal cohesion, which could be advantageous to adversarial foreign interests.
• Encouragement of Political Polarization: The administration’s policies have contributed to deepening political divisions, creating an environment of internal discord. Such polarization can weaken national unity, making the country more susceptible to external influence and manipulation.

Conclusion President Trump’s domestic policies in his second term exhibit significant parallels with strategic objectives that would benefit Russian interests. By restructuring the economic landscape to favor a select elite, consolidating executive power in a manner reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, and implementing social policies that may foster internal divisions, these actions collectively could undermine the United States’ internal stability and global standing, aligning with the strategic interests of adversarial nations such as Russia.

Note from the Editor: The above editorial was created using ChatGPT 4.o from the prompt shown in Italics above. ChatGPT lists as sources Wikipedia,, foreignpolicy.com, elpais.com, theatlantic.com, theguardian.com, apnews.com, and newyorker.com. It is early in Trump’s term and it remains to be seen how his policies will play out. Hopefully, despite the current rhetoric, in the end the results align with the best interests of the USA and our allies, including Ukraine.

Media Bias Ratings

Source	Bias Rating	Factual Reporting	Source
Foreign Policy (foreignpolicy.com)	Center	High	Media Bias/Fact Check
El País (elpais.com)	Center-Left	High	Media Bias/Fact Check
The Atlantic (theatlantic.com)	Center-Left	High	Media Bias/Fact Check
The Guardian (theguardian.com)	Left	High	Media Bias/Fact Check
AP News (apnews.com)	Center	High	Media Bias/Fact Check
The New Yorker (newyorker.com)	Center-Left	High	Media Bias/Fact Check
Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)	Center	Variable	Media Bias/Fact Check

These ratings are based on evaluations of each outlet’s language, story selection, and editorial positions. It’s important to note that media bias assessments can vary between different evaluators, and consulting multiple sources can provide a more comprehensive understanding of an outlet’s perspective.