In this special episode of The Art Wire, we delve into the unsettling parallels between Russia’s media transformation under Putin and concerning trends in the U.S. Drawing from my research in digital and AI literacy, recent talk feedback, and a detailed analysis of Putin’s tactics, I explore how small steps toward media control could gradually reshape democracies in the West. This AI-driven dialogue, grounded in my comprehensive document—which references the so-called Project 2025, Bob Woodward's recent book War, and many other sources—examines how "Putin's Media Playbook" might influence the future of U.S. media and society. For deeper insights, check out the supporting document here. Join us as we explore the line between influence and control.