A close associate of Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president, has made a bold prediction that the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump could actually boost his chances of winning in the upcoming presidential election in November.
Medvedev, who also serves as the deputy chairman of Russia’s security council, shared his views, reflecting the sentiment echoed by many Russian media outlets, suggesting that the assault on the presumptive Republican nominee might have bolstered his campaign.
In a surprising move, Medvedev posted an infamous mug shot of Trump taken during his time at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, back on August 24, 2023—making it the only police booking photo of a U.S. president to date.
Commenting on the post in English, Medvedev remarked, “He has certainly won. Only if he is not assassinated.”
Medvedev, who served as the head of state between 2008 and 2012, has been vocally critical of Kyiv and Western powers since Putin’s military intervention in Ukraine. He often uses his Telegram platform to express hawkish views.
As of Monday, his message had not been shared on his Telegram account, with his latest post dating back to July 11.
His assessment of the assassination attempt during Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, aligns with the stance taken by various Russian state media outlets, which have been overtly supportive of the Republican hopeful.
Throughout Trump’s previous tenure in the White House, speculations surrounding his alleged connections with Putin were extensively scrutinized. Russian media has portrayed Trump, known for criticizing U.S. backing of Ukraine, as a candidate more favorable to Russia in comparison to President Joe Biden.
Newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta ran a headline stating, “The bullet that brought Donald Trump closer to the White House,” indicating Trump’s surge in popularity, exceeding Biden in polls and possibly becoming unbeatable in the elections.
Another prominent Russian daily, Moskovsky Komsomolets, featured a headline, “They aimed at Trump, they hit Biden,” emphasizing the increased likelihood of Trump making a White House comeback.
Finally, the government-owned Rossiyskaya Gazeta concurred that the attempt on Trump’s life had diminished Biden’s chances for reelection.
When asked about the assassination plot, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any Russian involvement but criticized the Democrats for fostering an environment that has led to the current challenges faced by America, a sentiment echoed by some of Trump’s allies within the Republican party.