Yeah, those are photos of people with Putin.
So what?
Trump has been photoed with Putin before with no reaction.
The difference this time is not the photo but the words.
Trump is sitting next to Putin saying he believes US intelligence that Russia meddled, while simultaneously saying he believes Putin when he says he wasn't involved.
And he said Putin's denials were strong and tough.
It's not the photo, it's the rhetoric.
And Trump's tough actions against Russia were not his idea. They were directions put in front of him to sign. Which he delayed.
That's why his words and rhetoric are so important.
He never takes the stage to strongly announce US sanctions of Russia for election meddling.
For a person who cares so much about PR and optics, his PR and optics on Russia and Putin are very, very weak.
Back in Russia, sanctions may hurt some citizens, but their official propaganda are images of Trump complimenting Putin.
The Russian people get hurt but Putin does fine. He is effectively a dictator that rigs the elections to stay in power and oppresses his opposition.
Putin's standing in the world has been elevated by his friendship with Trump.