Why would Trump say this stuff if Putin is not blackmailing him?

http://thehill.com/homenews/318086-retir...nt-ever-said-by


Former Gen. Barry McCaffrey on Monday said President Donald Trump’s recent comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin may be “the most anti-American statement” ever made by a commander-in-chief.

“I’m actually incredulous that the president would make a statement like that,” McCaffrey told MSNBC.

“One could argue that’s the most anti-American statement ever made by the president of the United States. To confuse American values with Putin, who is running a criminal oligarchy.”