The thing about Putin is he has waged a long campaign to integrate the Russian agenda with Right wing Christians and politics. Essentially, its been going on for years and basically he has inserted this idea that his values align with Republican values. Essentially, a dislike of homosexuals, being anti-abortion, pro Christian, pro gun ownership, for the wealthy, racially intolerant, and very much anti-democratic. I mean some of this is pure comedy but they have sold this to many Republican voters and bought off Republican politicians. They easily infiltrated Christian churches, gun groups, and white supremacist groups. 

So, once aligned it has been easy to sell them propaganda and guys like Trump and Tucker Carlson definitely align with Russian interests more than the interests of the United States so these guys will sell, sell, sell, the propaganda to their followers. 

I find it sad that many Republicans have bought into this but not at all surprising.