The Kremlin had banked on a contested election outcome in the US, followed by months of disarray that would discredit US democracy across the world. The polite interregnum has been a cruel disappointment.
An interesting idea, if true. Putin didn't even think that Trump could win again, and thought that his value as an agitator might be higher than his value as a leader. I wonder if any polonium is being spilled into the Diet Coke machines at Mar-A-Lago....
Given that Trump got elected despite a rape conviction and the revelations of being at best grossly negligent with national secrets (and quite plausibly giving them to the US’s enemies), the downside to Russia is that whatever kompromat they have on him is of no use, as the public won’t care.
He doesn't have a rape conviction. I hate him too, but it's important to be accurate. He was found civilly liable for having sexually assaulted E. Jean Carrol, which, yes, means a judge believed he did it, but is distinct from a criminal conviction.