In what some call "Opposite World," where reality is up for debate and lies are disguised as truth, discerning genuine facts can be a challenge. For a decade, the narrative around Russian interference in American democracy has been obscured by denialism and political spin. A new book, "How Russia Won: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and the Fight for America," aims to cut through the noise, offering a comprehensive look at Russia's sustained covert warfare against the United States and the alarming connections between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Unpacking a Decade of Covert Warfare

David Corn, Washington Bureau Chief for Mother Jones Magazine, presents a compelling narrative stretching back to 2016 and beyond. His book argues that Russia's actions were not a one-off event, but a decade-long act of covert warfare designed to undermine American elections, sow discord, and ultimately, to help Trump secure and maintain power. Corn emphasizes that the Russia denialism from Trump and his allies continued long after 2016, providing Putin with an open field to pursue his strategic goals.

Putin's strategic aims are clear: to weaken the West, undermine the Western alliance, and discredit democracy globally. By denying Russian interference and amplifying Putin's false claims, Trump inadvertently, or perhaps intentionally, aided these objectives. The resulting fractions within NATO, political discord in the U.S., and questioning of democratic institutions have all served Putin's broader agenda.

Trump's Enduring Affinity for Putin

Trump's fascination with Russia predates his political career, rooted in a strong desire to conduct business and be a "big guy" in Russia. From the 1990s and 2000s, he pursued major development deals, and in 2013, hosted the Miss Universe contest in Moscow. This event, underwritten by a Russian oligarch close to Putin, reportedly netted Trump a couple million dollars, while the oligarch lost a significant sum.

Throughout his campaign and presidency, Trump consistently praised Putin, a stark contrast to his frequent criticisms of allies and even his own cabinet. This unwavering positive stance on Putin, while pursuing a major tower deal in Moscow in 2015 and 2016, highlights a profound conflict of interest. Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen, even contacted Putin's office to expedite the deal, all while Trump publicly denied any business ties to Russia. This pattern suggests Trump views Putin as an authoritarian figure to emulate, someone who can run a country "the way he wants."

The Republican Party's Capitulation to Russian Denialism

Initially, after the 2016 election, some prominent Republicans, including Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell, called for investigations into Russia's actions. However, as Trump escalated his "witch hunt" and "hoax" rhetoric, the party gradually capitulated to his denialism. This shift meant ignoring concrete evidence of Russian interference.

A critical, yet largely overlooked, piece of evidence is the August 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report. This bipartisan, 966-page document, signed off by Republican members like Marco Rubio, Tom Cotton, and John Cornyn, confirmed that Russia attacked the 2016 election to help Trump. It also stated that Trump actively tried to minimize attribution to Russia and exploit the attack for his own benefit. Despite its conclusive findings, the report was overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the presidential election, fading into a "memory hole."

Rubio signed off on a report that said Russia attacked to help Trump. And so all this business about being a witch hunt, a hoax, Russia, Russia. Rubio said, no, it's real.

Ongoing Disinformation and the "Russia Hoax Hoax"

The pattern of Russian interference, coupled with Trump's denial, continues to this day. Recent reports indicate that Russian disinformation networks are still active, meddling in U.S. elections. A striking example involves a Russian oligarch, Umar Kremlev, who is close to Putin, reportedly funding Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding. This lavish event on a private island in the Bahamas, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, occurred despite Trump's denial of knowing Kremlev or his involvement.

Trump's repeated assertion that "Russiagate" was a "hoax" has created a counter-narrative, claiming that a "deep state" orchestrated the scandal. David Corn argues that this narrative is itself "the Russia hoax hoax", a calculated attempt to bamboozle the public and obscure the truth. The book aims to provide the context needed to understand these seemingly disparate events as part of a long-term, deliberate pattern of Russian operations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Russia's Influence

What is David Corn's "How Russia Won" about?

The book details a decade of covert warfare by Russia against the United States, focusing on how Vladimir Putin's strategic goals were advanced through election interference, disinformation, and Donald Trump's complicity and denialism.

How did Donald Trump aid Russia's strategic goals?

Trump aided Russia by consistently denying any interference, amplifying Putin's false denials, and creating a political environment that weakened U.S. alliances and promoted internal discord, aligning with Putin's objectives to undermine the West.

Did the Republican Party acknowledge Russian interference?

Yes, a bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report, signed by Republican members in 2020, definitively confirmed that Russia attacked the 2016 election to help Trump. However, the party line shifted towards denying these facts as Trump's "hoax" narrative gained traction.

What is the "Russia hoax hoax"?

The "Russia hoax hoax" is the counter-narrative propagated by Trump and his allies, falsely claiming that the entire Russian interference scandal was a fabrication by the "deep state" designed to undermine him.

Understanding the Truth with Nicole Sandler

In a political landscape fraught with misinformation, understanding the true story behind Russia's long-term operations against American democracy is more crucial than ever. David Corn's "How Russia Won" provides the essential knowledge to navigate this complex history and challenge prevailing false narratives. For more critical discussions and a refuge from political madness, engage with shows like Nicole Sandler's, where truth still matters and the facts are brought to light.