A new book by journalist Bob Woodward reveals that former President Donald Trump has held private conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin up to seven times since leaving office. This occurred while Trump was urging Republicans to oppose military support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces.
The book, War , due to be published next week, recounts an incident in early 2024 at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida estate, where he dismissed an aide from his office to hold a private call with Putin. The aide indicated that the two leaders may have spoken as many as six other times since Trump’s departure from the White House.
Additionally, the book details that, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump secretly sent rare virus tests to Putin for personal use. Putin, who was particularly concerned about infection at the time, asked Trump not to disclose the gesture for fear of damaging the American president's political standing.
These revelations have sparked renewed scrutiny over Trump's relationship with Putin, just weeks ahead of the 2024 election , which could see Trump return to the White House. Multiple media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN, have obtained and reported on the book.
Trump had previously praised Putin as a "genius" when the Russian leader launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, Trump has refrained from expressing support for Ukraine's victory and has been critical of US aid to the country, pressuring Republicans to halt further assistance. He has also claimed that, if elected, he would negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, though he has not provided specifics on how this would be achieved.
While the book does not detail the content of Trump’s 2024 conversation with Putin or the additional calls, it mentions Jason Miller, a top campaign aide, who downplayed the claims but suggested that the two leaders would know how to contact one another if they wished to.
Who is Bob Woodward?
Bob Woodward is a prominent American investigative journalist and author, widely known for his work at The Washington Post. Born in 1943, Woodward gained national recognition in 1972 for his role in uncovering the Watergate scandal, alongside fellow journalist Carl Bernstein. Their reporting ultimately contributed to the resignation of U.S. President Richard Nixon, earning them a Pulitzer Prize.
Over his career, Woodward has written numerous bestselling books, many of which delve into the inner workings of U.S. political leadership, particularly focusing on the presidency. His works are often based on interviews, documents, and insider information, providing a detailed view of the American political landscape. He has covered multiple administrations, including those of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden, consistently exploring the dynamics of power and governance.
Known for his meticulous research and behind-the-scenes access, Woodward's investigative style has influenced generations of journalists. His journalistic work has shaped public understanding of political events, making him one of the most influential reporters in modern American history.
The book, War , due to be published next week, recounts an incident in early 2024 at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida estate, where he dismissed an aide from his office to hold a private call with Putin. The aide indicated that the two leaders may have spoken as many as six other times since Trump’s departure from the White House.
Additionally, the book details that, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump secretly sent rare virus tests to Putin for personal use. Putin, who was particularly concerned about infection at the time, asked Trump not to disclose the gesture for fear of damaging the American president's political standing.
These revelations have sparked renewed scrutiny over Trump's relationship with Putin, just weeks ahead of the 2024 election , which could see Trump return to the White House. Multiple media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN, have obtained and reported on the book.
Trump had previously praised Putin as a "genius" when the Russian leader launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, Trump has refrained from expressing support for Ukraine's victory and has been critical of US aid to the country, pressuring Republicans to halt further assistance. He has also claimed that, if elected, he would negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, though he has not provided specifics on how this would be achieved.
While the book does not detail the content of Trump’s 2024 conversation with Putin or the additional calls, it mentions Jason Miller, a top campaign aide, who downplayed the claims but suggested that the two leaders would know how to contact one another if they wished to.
Who is Bob Woodward?
Bob Woodward is a prominent American investigative journalist and author, widely known for his work at The Washington Post. Born in 1943, Woodward gained national recognition in 1972 for his role in uncovering the Watergate scandal, alongside fellow journalist Carl Bernstein. Their reporting ultimately contributed to the resignation of U.S. President Richard Nixon, earning them a Pulitzer Prize.
Over his career, Woodward has written numerous bestselling books, many of which delve into the inner workings of U.S. political leadership, particularly focusing on the presidency. His works are often based on interviews, documents, and insider information, providing a detailed view of the American political landscape. He has covered multiple administrations, including those of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden, consistently exploring the dynamics of power and governance.
Known for his meticulous research and behind-the-scenes access, Woodward's investigative style has influenced generations of journalists. His journalistic work has shaped public understanding of political events, making him one of the most influential reporters in modern American history.
You may also like
BBC Radio star Petroc Trelawny regrets never telling his dad he's gay before death
Defeating caste-based politics was at centre of PM Modi's campaign, even 25 years ago
Ange Postecoglou still has £130m Tottenham transfer gift for Daniel Levy after Brighton pressure
If the BBC really cared about restoring impartiality they'd start by fixing Newsnight
