How has the perception of Vladimir Putin shifted in American discourse, and what role do media comparisons play in shaping public opinion?

The clip touches on the controversial practice of comparing Putin to historical figures like Hitler, with Shane Smith appearing to reject or question such comparisons ("No, no, no, no, no, no, no"). This reflects the broader challenge in American media and political discourse of how to characterize Putin without resorting to extreme historical analogies. The shifting perceptions of Putin in the U.S. are influenced by media narratives that often swing between demonization and more nuanced portrayals, affecting public understanding of complex geopolitical relationships and foreign policy decisions.