My personal belief is that this entire recent iteration of the beef between Russia and the US kicked off because of the Magnitsky Act
It's an interesting theory. I assumed it was due to the protests of 2011 -> ratings rapidly fell -> inventing external enemies, taking Crimea, turn brainwashing to the 1000%. I feel like nothing external was at play, and if there weren't no country but Russia, like literally empty space, they'd still blow the provocation whistle.
Personally, my initial reaction was actually inclined to agree with you on this part. I have trouble seeing how anything Trump says would have anything to do with what they did to Navalny.
The timing of that is interesting for Alexei was sitting in prison for years. My assumption was again internal: that he was killed one month before the Putin's re-election, to show he would violently suppress anyone who'd get in his way. But can it be an external signal? To who? To NATO countries other than USA, who may lose their strategic partner? To exact politicians who'd be against it? I'm confused.