I Know the Secret of Why Trump Truly Fears Putin | The Daily Beast Podcast

Luke Harding, author of the new book Betrayal: Trump, Putin and The New Age of Conquest, speaks with Joanna Coles about the decades-long relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, and the Russian intelligence operation that Harding argues helped cultivate Trump as a potential target for influence. Harding traces Trump’s early connections to Moscow, the murky financial dealings that followed, and the compromising information that may give Putin leverage over the president, including what could have been captured during Trump’s visits to Russia. He also explains why Russia viewed Trump’s 2016 victory as a historic intelligence triumph, how Trump’s approach to Ukraine has benefited Putin, and why Russia and China see an opportunity to reshape the global order. Harding reveals what he experienced firsthand while reporting in Moscow, including the surveillance and intimidation campaign that ultimately led to his expulsion, before turning to the startling possibility that Russian state television has used Melania Trump as a warning to her husband.

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00:00 - Trump And The Mystery Of Putin
04:26 - Putin’s Wealth, Power And MAGA Appeal
09:50 - How The KGB Targeted Donald Trump
14:47 - Russia’s 2016 Trump Operation
19:49 - How Trump Changed The World Order
24:33 - Putin’s Grip On Russia And The War
28:00 - Why Trump May Fear Putin
33:10 - Russia, China And The Trump Factor
37:46 - Melania Trump And Russian Influence
42:00 - What Russia Really Thinks Of Trump

#trump #podcast #news

📖 Title: I Know the Secret of Why Trump Truly Fears Putin
👂 Podcast: The Daily Beast Podcast
📺 Episode: 773
🎧 Format: Full Podcast
📅 Date: September 23, 2026
👨‍💼 Guest: Luke Harding
🎙️ Host: Joanna Coles

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