If Trump had confronted and denounced Putin at the dais it would have had global repercussions and then the media would accused Trump of being inartfull, rude and undiplomatic. They would have said it was behavior not befitting a statesman.
They will criticize him no matter what he does.
The Russian journalists asked interesting questions about important topics for the most part. The American journalists focused on petty politics and engaged in their usual “gotcha” tactics. It was quite a contrast.
^^^^^This