Former US President Donald Trump, in his inaugural commentary regarding the demise of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, drew a parallel between Navalny's fate and his own legal entanglements in the United States. Trump expressed a heightened awareness of the domestic situation, attributing it to Navalny's sudden passing, and proceeded to characterize the state of affairs in the US as one of decline, dubbing it a "failing nation".
Addressing the issue on his Truth Social platform, the Republican leader remarked, “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. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE, A FAILING NATION! MAGA2024.”
These comments mark Trump's initial response to Navalny's passing, which occurred on February 16 in a Russian prison. Russian authorities assert that Navalny, aged 47, became unconscious and subsequently passed away following a stroll at the Polar Wolf penal colony in the Arctic, where he was serving a 30-year sentence. Navalny's widow alleges foul play, asserting that he was poisoned, and has called for action against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, Trump opted not to censure Putin in connection with the demise of the prominent opposition figure.
Meanwhile, Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and a Republican contender against Trump in the presidential race, questioned Trump's reluctance to condemn Putin, deeming his response "unpatriotic".
"Donald Trump could have condemned Vladimir Putin for being a murderous thug. Trump could have praised Navalny’s courage," she wrote on X. She criticized Trump for denouncing America and drawing comparisons with Russia.
US President Joe Biden, on the other hand, directly attributed Navalny's death to Putin, stating, "Putin is responsible for Navalny's death".
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has denied any involvement in Navalny's demise, rejecting Western allegations of holding Putin accountable.
