Putin does not think Trump is safe after assassination attempts

Putin praises Trump's intelligence, expresses concern for his safety after assassination attempts, criticizes US election campaign tactics.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday (November 28, 2024) as an experienced and intelligent politician, but said he did not believe Mr. Trump was safe after attempts on his life.

Mr. Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July. In a separate incident in September, a man was charged with attempted assassination after allegedly positioning himself with a rifle at one of Mr. Trump's Florida golf courses.

Speaking to reporters in Kazakhstan after a summit, Mr. Putin said he had been shocked by the way the U.S. election campaign had unfolded.

He cited "the absolutely uncivilised methods used to battle against Mr. Trump, up to and including an assassination attempt — and more than once".

"By the way, in my opinion, he is not safe now," said Mr. Putin.

"Unfortunately, in the history of the United States various incidents have happened. I think he (Trump) is intelligent and I hope he's cautious and understands this."

Mr. Putin, who is himself heavily protected, said he had been even more shocked though by how Mr. Trump's family and children had been criticised by political opponents during the U.S. election campaign.