Russian state TV: "Summit" happened "so our hackers can rig the midterms in favor of Trump's team"

[Miles Archer]

Officially, Russia admits nothing about interfering in the 2016 U.S. elections, but Kremlin-controlled state media is not as reserved in its messages designed for internal consumption. Russian state TV hosts brazenly assert, “Trump is ours,” and joke that the U.S. lawmakers traveled to Russia “to make deals with our hackers, so they can rig the midterms in favor of Trump’s team.” They gleefully anticipate that Putin will run circles around “political neophyte” Trump, “educating” him about world events from the Russian perspective.

A former intelligence operative, Putin is portrayed as a master manipulator, skilled in “studying the mind of the targets, finding their vulnerabilities, and figuring out how to use them.” He will likely use camaraderie and flattery with Trump. Since Fox News is known to echo Trump’s point of view, Russian state TV has taken to airing the network’s clips complaining about special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s “witch hunt” investigation. Between Fox News and Trump’s own revealing tweets, Putin undoubtedly knows which buttons to push for a maximum advantage.

The key common “enemies” named by Russian state TV are Democrats, “the deep state” and the U.S. media. Clinton and Obama top the list of foes frequently blamed by Russian politicians and state media for everything that is wrong with the world, including the deterioration of U.S.-Russia relations. Putin will probably use the same talking points to create an illusion of standing alongside Trump against the same opponents.

The Kremlin is also sure to capitalize on Trump’s vanity. Russian state TV experts speculate that Trump’s ego will be satisfied by striking a deal with Russia, just to show that he accomplished something his predecessors couldn’t. Putin’s propaganda networks are already saying that part of the summit will exclude any aides or advisers, repeatedly predicting that “secret verbal deals” will be made. This type of uncertainty presents a golden propaganda opportunity for the Kremlin, not unlike the approach recently taken by Russian state media with the visiting U.S. lawmakers, who agreed to meet with Russian counterparts behind closed doors. The ensuing conflicting reports enabled the Kremlin to portray the U.S. visitors as weak, timid and ready to make concessions.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/07/15/on-russian-state-tv-putin-has-already-won-the-summit-with-trump/

[octoberlib]

1. They are the biggest fucking trolls. It's information warfare.

They feel empowered by Trump.

[2naSalit]

2. PAPER F'ING BALLOTS FOR EVERY

DISTRICT IN THIS COUNTRY THIS NEXT ELECTION AND THEREAFTER!!!!!!!!!

Damnit!

[Squinch]

3. Everyone should share thus on every Facebook and Twitter

feed available to them. Then call your reps and senators daily and demand paper ballots.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. America: From world leader to laughingstock.

[roamer65]

5. I think we should cut the cables to/from Russia the day before the election.