Former U.S. President and current Republican nominee Donald Trump has reportedly maintained regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving office, according to new, unverified claims by veteran journalist Bob Woodward. The 81-year-old journalist alleges in his forthcoming book War that Trump made at least seven phone calls to Putin, with the most recent one occurring earlier this year.
Woodward’s claims suggest Trump asked an aide to leave his office at Mar-a-Lago so he could speak privately with the Russian leader. These allegations, however, have been swiftly denied by both Trump and the Kremlin.
Trump Campaign and Kremlin Deny Allegations
The Trump campaign has firmly rejected the claims. Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, dismissed the allegations as the work of a “demented and deranged man suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Trump himself also criticized Woodward, calling him a “bad storyteller” who has “lost his marbles” in an interview with ABC News.
The Kremlin similarly denied the allegations. Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson, told Russian media outlet RBC that reports of phone calls between Trump and Putin were “not true.”
Bob Woodward’s Legacy and Past Allegations
Despite the denials, Woodward’s history as the journalist who helped expose the Watergate scandal and bring down President Richard Nixon lends weight to his claims. This latest controversy arises just as the U.S. gears up for its November 5 presidential election, in which Trump is a leading candidate.
The claims of Trump’s interactions with Russia date back to his first presidential campaign in 2016. During that time, Trump famously urged Russia to locate Hillary Clinton’s “missing emails.” U.S. intelligence later confirmed Russian interference in the election, though a special counsel investigation by Robert Mueller found no direct conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Trump’s Relationship with Putin and Ukraine War Stance
Throughout his 2024 campaign, Trump has frequently boasted about his personal relationship with Putin. He has also used the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war to criticize current U.S. leadership. Trump has claimed that he could end the war in 24 hours, although critics argue such a resolution would likely require Ukraine to surrender significant territory to Russia, a position Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has staunchly rejected.
During a recent debate, Trump refrained from clearly stating whether he supported a Ukrainian victory, instead emphasizing his desire to “stop the war and save lives.” He inaccurately claimed that “millions” had already died in the conflict.
Additional Revelations from Woodward’s Book
Woodward’s book contains more than just claims about Trump’s ties to Putin. One of the more shocking revelations is that Trump allegedly sent COVID-19 testing machines to Putin for his personal use in 2020. According to the book, Putin requested that Trump keep the assistance secret to avoid backlash.
The book also touches on U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ reaction to these claims. In an interview with Howard Stern, Harris condemned Trump for reportedly aiding “a murderous dictator” during a time when Americans were struggling to secure COVID-19 tests.
Biden Criticism of Obama and Tensions with Netanyahu
In addition to the Trump-Putin revelations, Woodward’s book delves into current President Joe Biden’s views on international affairs, particularly his criticism of former President Barack Obama’s handling of Putin’s 2014 invasion of Crimea. According to Woodward, Biden reportedly told a friend, “Barack never took Putin seriously,” and blamed the administration’s lack of action for emboldening Putin’s later aggression in Ukraine.
The book also details Biden’s strained relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, quoting Biden as privately calling Netanyahu a “son of a b**” and accusing him of lying regularly.
Conclusion
While Woodward’s claims have sparked intense debate and denial from both Trump’s team and the Kremlin, they highlight the continuing controversy surrounding Trump’s ties to Russia. As the 2024 election approaches, these allegations may further fuel political tensions and shape the discourse on foreign relations, corruption, and national security.
Source : Swifteradio.com
