Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has sharply criticised the state of the US presidential election, describing it as increasingly fractured and divisive.
She argued that the American political system is in severe decline, marked by an absence of constructive dialogue and an overreliance on “incendiary rhetoric.”
In an interview with Radio Sputnik, Zakharova highlighted the growing bitterness of the electoral process, stating, “This is just one unending quarrel, a squabble, one continuous process of inflaming passions in people, which has been lasting [in the US] for many years.” She expressed concern that the shift from traditional democratic discourse to polarised exchanges signals a troubling trend for the future of American democracy.
Zakharova pointed to the contentious exchanges between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris during the campaign.
Each candidate accused the other of threatening the nation’s future, further fueling the ongoing division.
Additionally, Zakharova criticised the US electoral system as “archaic,” claiming that new technologies are only being used to mask the deep flaws within American democracy rather than drive genuine reform.
She contrasted this with the approach of other nations, which, she said, are working to improve their political systems while the US continues to lecture others on democracy.
“The U.S., with all its political commentators, civic activists, and democracy experts, should stay quiet for years and avoid judging the quality of democracy in other nations… until they address their pressing issues,” Zakharova stated.
She traced the root cause of these issues to American elites, accusing them of abandoning any moral framework in favour of monetary gain. “The country is ruled by clans whose only guiding philosophy is money. For wealth—no matter its source—they will do anything,” Zakharova claimed.
She added that these elite groups have seized control of the US political system, side-lining traditional party structures, preventing genuine political debate, and imposing a new, pseudo-scientific agenda.
In her view, the American public is left confused and disoriented while powerful elites operate unchecked, primarily serving their interests.
