Russia has puppet states and is actively working on building them. Russia is actively trying to influence elections in foreign countries too. Trump being suspect Russian puppet is not xenofobia, it is completely consistent with what Russia is and who Trump is.
That aside, US electorates has decided to award another term for Trump. FYI at that point Trump is not an unknown dark horse candidate anymore and he even won the popular vote. Last time a GOP president won popular vote was 20 years ago.
So it's very fair to attribute the so called erraticness to what American want in general instead of attributing it to Putin or other non American.
Or that foreign influence campaigns on social media are having a good return on their investment cost.
Completely consistent with what Russia is? Sure. With who Trump is? I'm not sure that I see it. Trump does not strike me as the kind of guy who would willingly be someone else's puppet.
Unwillingly? Sure. Being played? Sure. Knowingly being a puppet? No.
He acts like Putins puppet. I can see it both willingly and unwillingly. Trump admires powerful dictators and wants their validation. Putin is one. Also, I would not be surprised at all if there was unwilling component too.