Name: How Russian TV covered the U.S. inauguration
Uploaded: 2025-01-21T19:00:30.765Z
Duration: 2 min 5 s
Description: CNN’s Clare Sebastian looks at how Russian TV covered the inauguration of President Trump as the Moscow-Washington relationship readies itself for a new era.

CNN’s Clare Sebastian looks at how Russian TV covered the inauguration of President Trump as the Moscow-Washington relationship readies itself for a new era.

Washington

Donald Trump is preparing to take office after defeating Kamala Harris in the U.S. Presidential election.

U.S. Presidential Elect

Russia's television coverage of Donald Trump's inauguration as President of the United States portrayed a blend of support and caution, reflecting nuanced responses from the top echelons of Russian leadership. President Vladimir Putin made some positive comments about Trump and his policies, which influenced television talk shows to show praise for the American President's commitment to traditional values. These values, notably, align closely with those endorsed by Putin himself.

Russian media showed a lighter side by commenting on the decision to move the inauguration ceremony indoors due to inclement weather, but voices remained cautious, particularly surrounding Trump's promises regarding Ukraine. On one occasion, when a talk show guest became overly enthusiastic, the host intervened, highlighting the complex Russian sentiment of respecting Trump's toughness while remaining wary of it. 

Despite this apparent optimism, Russian media also took steps to signal its ongoing strategy to challenge U.S. global dominance. Instead of focusing on Trump, the media highlighted communications with Chinese President Xi Jinping, indicating Russia's continued ambition to alter the geopolitical power landscape.



How Russian TV covered the U.S. inauguration

From peace talks to culture wars and even the weather, this is how the Russian media covered Trump's inauguration, all of it taking their cue from the top. President Putin offered some positive words Monday about Trump as an individual and about his policies. And that evening's talk shows got the hint. While unable to resist a dig or two about the decision to move the inauguration ceremony indoors because of cold weather, there was unqualified praise for Trump's traditional values, which of course align with Putin's. Much more caution though when it comes to his promises on Ukraine. And when one talk show guest got a little too excited, the anchor had to rein him in. This was a revealing moment because on the one hand Russia respects Trump's toughness but it's also wary of it. And so instead of calling Trump on Tuesday, the Russian media called China's President Xi Jinping. A clear signal that the Russian goal of challenging US dominance in the world is unchanged.

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