In a bold move amid ongoing political turmoil, President Joe Biden's reelection campaign has unveiled a new ad that characterises former President Donald Trump as a "lapdog" for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The ad, titled "Lap Dog", portrays Trump as being overly friendly with Putin and highlights Trump's past statements suggesting he would not defend NATO allies who failed to meet defense spending goals. The ad accused Trump of "siding with Putin" and warned that the Republican Party's presumptive candidate is "a lapdog for a dictator who blames America first". Timed to coincide with the conclusion of this week's high-profile NATO summit, the advertisement is part of a substantial $50 million media campaign for July, ahead of the November 5 US presidential election. The ad emphasises Trump's alleged allegiance to Putin, describing him as someone who prioritises the interests of dictators over America's interests. It criticises Trump for allegedly stating that Russia could "do whatever the hell they want" to these members, painting him as a threat to American and global security. Donald Trump is Putin’s lap dog. I will never bow down to dictators. Watch our new ad. pic.twitter.com/4QUVH6j7Ad — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 11, 2024 "Donald Trump is an unhinged wannabe dictator," Biden campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt was quoted as saying by CNN. "If he's reelected, he'll be Vladimir Putin's lap dog, giving him the green light to steamroll Europe and potentially spark World War III," Hitt said. "Democracy and American security are on the ballot this November, and President Biden is the only candidate in this race committed to protecting and promoting it at home and abroad," Hitt added. The release of the ad comes as President Biden, 81, faces mounting pressure to reassure both his party and voters of his ability to lead, especially after a widely criticized debate performance against the 78-year-old Trump. Congressional Democrats have expressed concerns about Biden's reelection prospects and the potential impact on the party in the upcoming elections. Despite these concerns, Biden remains determined to seek a second term, as he emphasized in a letter to congressional Democrats earlier this week. At the NATO summit, which marks the 75th anniversary of the alliance, Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. In a clip featured in the advertisement, Biden declared that, "The United States will not walk away" from Ukraine, underscoring his stance against Russian aggression. The president’s firm position aims to contrast sharply with Trump's approach and reassure voters of his dedication to upholding democratic values and international alliances with a 'not bowing down' attitude. The campaign advertisement asserts, "The United States must never be like Putin’s Russia; we don’t empower dictators, we don’t undermine freedom."
