In Helsinki and in front of the whole world, President Trump watched Russian President Vladimir Putin lecture an American reporter about democracy. A better leader would have made him eat his words.

“I believe Russia is a democratic state and I hope you’re not denying this right to your own country,” the former KGB officer told the AP when asked about electoral meddling. “Do you believe the U.S. is a democracy?” Because if it is a democracy, Putin preened, the issue should be dealt with in court.