Donald Trump called the recently deceased Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, brave and compared himself to him when referring to the numerous legal cases that have been opened against him.
Despite frequent claims by the former president's detractors, who have argued that Trump is supposedly a Putin token, in a recent interview with Fox News, Trump not only praised the Russian opponent but also identified with him.
"He was very brave because he went back [to Russia]. He could have stayed away, and frankly, probably would have been a lot better off staying away and talking from outside of the country," he said before pointing out that something similar is happening in the United States. Trump criticized the $355 million fine he faces in a fraud trial in New York and described the sanction as "a form of Navalny." The former president explained that the fine is comparable to practices associated with communism or fascism.
"We are turning into a communist country in many ways. I have eight or nine trials all because of the fact that ... I'm in politics," he added.
The former president made the similarities public for the first time through a post on his social media, Truth Social. "The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our country. It is a slow, steady progression, with crooked, radical left politicians, prosecutors, and judges leading us down a path to destruction. Open borders, rigged elections, and grossly unfair courtroom decisions are destroying America," Trump posted a couple of days ago.
Other experts also compare Trump with Navalny
Other political experts have also shared the comparison between Trump and Navalny. Political commentator Michael Knowles mentioned similarities between Navalny's persecution in Russia and the U.S. government's attempts to imprison Trump.
"The Russian opposition leader who was imprisoned on trumped-up charges and left to die there. Remember that the American government is currently attempting to do precisely the same thing to our own opposition leader for precisely the same reason," opined political commentator Michael Knowles.
RIP Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who was imprisoned on trumped-up charges and left to die there. Remember that the American government is currently attempting to do precisely the same thing to our own opposition leader for precisely the same reason.
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) February 16, 2024
Former Republican congressman Lee Zeldin also took to social media and suggested parallels between what happened to Navalny and Democratic efforts to jail Trump.
"As the world reflects on the murder of Alexei Navalny at the hands of Putin, it's worth remembering that Democrats are actively doing Biden's bidding as they also try to imprison his chief political opponent, Donald Trump, remove him from the ballot, and ensure he dies in prison," he said.
As the world reflects on the murder of Alexei Navalny at the hands of Putin, it’s worth remembering that Democrats are actively doing Biden’s bidding as they also try to imprison his chief political opponent, Donald Trump, remove him from the ballot, and ensure he dies in prison. https://t.co/FdLJUR9w4u
— Lee Zeldin (@LeeMZeldin) February 16, 2024
