Former President Donald Trump drew controversial parallels between a court order demanding him to pay $355 million in a civil fraud case and the death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
Speaking at a Fox News town hall in South Carolina, Trump likened the judgment against him to “a form of Navalny,” equating it to “communism or fascism.”
Trump, who faces numerous criminal charges across various cases, baselessly suggested he was politically targeted similar to Navalny.
He refrained from condemning Russia or President Vladimir Putin for Navalny’s death, contrasting with Western leaders’ reactions, including President Joe Biden’s direct blame on Putin.
In his remarks, Trump acknowledged Navalny’s bravery for returning to Russia despite risks, portraying himself as a victim of political persecution. He argued, “We are turning into a communist country in many ways,” pointing to his legal challenges as evidence.
Navalny, 47, died in Russian custody after returning from Germany, where he was treated for poisoning. Trump’s prior reluctance to condemn Russia over Navalny’s poisoning contrasted with global outrage. He only acknowledged Navalny’s death on Truth Social, attributing it to America’s purported decline.
Biden criticized Trump’s stance, accusing him of refusing to hold Putin accountable and blaming America instead. At a fundraiser in Los Angeles, Biden condemned Trump’s reluctance to condemn Putin as “outrageous,” accusing him of dragging the country backward.
The parallels drawn by Trump between his legal troubles and Navalny’s death sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of deflecting blame and failing to address Russia’s responsibility.
Trump’s remarks have further deepened the political divide surrounding Navalny’s death and raised questions about his stance on Russia’s actions.
