Putin is waging an image war against Trump
From redecorating the White House to proposing an Air Force One upgrade, President Trump is a man consumed with his image. But Russian President Vladimir Putin may be giving him a run for his money.
Putin rolled up to his Finland meeting with Trump almost an hour late Monday, The Washington Post reports. It's typical of the Russian leader, data from The Independent shows — and some say it's an attempt at showing dominance.
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Putin has elevated his brand during his presidency, graduating from oversized suits to shirtless horseback rides, the Post points out. He's carefully crafted a tough-guy image to counter his country's shaky one. That image — apparently built by once showing up four hours late to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel — has even earned him comparisons to Trump.
Putin also arrived 40 minutes late to meet former President Barack Obama, making his tardiness bipartisan.
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