The change of tone may be to lower his own expectations, so he doesn't stroke out after the midterms.

Although we may see him disappear for a long sabbatical which his staff will swear is only campaign fatigue.

LAMP

"So, if that is the case, why does Pres Trump seem to bow in servile compliance to Pres Putin?"

Probably because Putin is the brains of the plot to share dominance (1) Putin over Europe and (2) Trump over most of the western hemisphere. Trump has already begun testing the water in Canada, Cuba and has made threats to some South American countries.

I also don't think Putin "has" anything on Trump. I think they have a mutual admiration but only for the purpose of each achieving their goals. Trump is helping Putin's advancement into Eastern Europe right now. When the time comes, Putin will help Trump.

The difference is that Putin is already a dictator and Trump has that pesky Constitution in his way. Which, BTW. he's trying to incrementally destroy

Actually, controlling the economy of the whole world is a long and arduous endeavor. It could take many years. Neither one will live long enough to see it all come to pass. Plus, Putin is working for the good of Russia, . . and Trump is working for the good of himself. As I said, Putin is smart to use Trump and Trump's lack of intelligence and obsession with greed will sooner rather than later cause the GOP and their Unitary Executive plot to self-destruct.

LAMP

As for that mutual admiration thing I mentioned above. I think that's probably one-sided. I doubt that Putin has any real respect for Trump and is just using that ignorant blob for Putin's own purposes for as long as he can. Putin probably thinks of Trump as a servant rather than a co-equal. However, for the time, it's best to keep up appearances or, as some might say, on the hook.

As for Trump giving aid and comfort to America's enemy (also known as treason), I've come to the conclusion that the irrational drawn-out blockade of the Straits of Hormuz is also having some intentional consequences on the former cash-strapped Russia.

Intentional or not, that seems to be what's happening.

And while we're having this conversation, does anybody believe that Trump has really negotiated an oil deal with Russia?

Or is he just gas-lighting the voters in the lead-up to the midterms.

As for weakening America, of course he's trying to weaken America.

A weakened population, subservient and starving for basic substance is much easier for an authoritarian dictator to control.

It's not just a goal, it's a necessity.

Nor is it a coincidence that the high price of fertilizer is bankrupting farmers and the price of diesel fuel is driving trucking companies out of business.

Re weakening America

And that 300,000 metric tons of oil that is supposed to be on its way from Russia is equal to only 2.25 million barrels, most (if not all) of which will be refined for use by the military.

Again, just another dog whistle for deserting voters to return to the Republican Party