Bewildered and alarmed leaders from around the world called Russian President Vladimir Putin in the early hours of 6 November 2024 to congratulate him on what they described as “his victory over the nearly three-century-old American system of checks and balances.”
Putin was reportedly uncharacteristically gracious during the calls, leading many to wonder whether he was “psychologically toying with his soon-to-be prey.” After concluding the calls, Putin held a press conference during which he praised the U.S. president-elect, Donald Trump, as “courageous” and a “stable genius.”
Putin also announced that, in appreciation of Elon Musk’s efforts to “promote alternative facts,” he planned to release Musk from the obligation to pay the remaining amount owed on the loan he had extended to enable Musk to X-rate Twitter.
