Trump reportedly spoke with Putin at least seven times since leaving White House
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It has been reported that Donald Trump has communicated with Russian President Vladimir Putin up to seven times since his departure from the White House.
A recent book by journalist Bob Woodward offers detailed insights into President Joe Biden’s candid and often colorful reactions to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, including the use of strong language.
In his latest book, "Mr. Woodward's War," which is the fourth since Donald Trump's victory in 2016, some sections have been shared by CNN. The book reveals new information about Trump's interactions with the authoritarian leader, including an instance at Mar-a-Lago where he instructed a top aide to exit the room so he could have a "private phone call."
As per Trump's assistant, there have been numerous conversations, possibly up to seven, between Trump and Putin since Trump exited the White House in 2021, Mr. Woodward notes.
Mr. Woodward mentioned that he inquired with Jason Miller, a top aide to Trump, about whether Trump and Putin have had any conversations since departing the White House in January 2021. Miller responded, saying, “Uh, well, not that I know of.”
According to Mr. Woodward, Mr. Miller commented that he hasn't heard any discussions taking place, so he would contest that claim.
According to the well-known journalist Mr. Woodward, Avril Haines, who serves as Mr. Biden’s director of national intelligence, was quite cautious in her response when he inquired about any conversations between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin after Trump’s presidency.
"I can't claim to know everything about the interactions with Putin. I also can't speak on what President Trump may or may not have done," Ms. Haines said to Mr. Woodward.
Mr. Trump's campaign for the 2024 presidency has strongly rejected the claims made by Mr. Woodward.
"All of these fabricated tales by Bob Woodward are false and are the product of a deeply disturbed individual dealing with a severe case of Trump derangement syndrome," campaign communications director Steven Cheung stated to The Independent on Tuesday.
"Woodward is a frustrated individual and it's evident that he's distressed because President Trump is effectively taking legal action against him for releasing recordings without permission," Cheung noted.
Mr. Cheung criticized the book, stating, “President Trump completely denied him any access for this worthless book that should either be in the clearance section of a discount bookstore or used as bathroom tissue. Woodward is a total sleazebag who has lost his grip on reality. He’s sluggish, inept, and overall a dull person with no charisma.”
Lawyers representing Mr. Woodward are attempting to throw out a lawsuit worth almost $50 million filed by Mr. Trump. The former president claims that the journalist shared recordings of their interviews for a different book without his permission. Mr. Woodward conducted interviews with Mr. Trump on at least 19 occasions between December 2019 and August 2020, which were used for the book "Rage," released in September 2020.
In legal documents, Mr. Woodward's team contends that the journalist used Trump's interviews appropriately, referring to them as prime examples of "traditional news reporting" that served to "accurately provide information to the public."
Last month in New York City, Mr. Trump, while alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, remarked that he shares a “very good relationship” with Mr. Putin.
Mr. Trump mentioned to reporters on September 27 that if they win, they would likely settle the issue swiftly.
"I look forward to strengthening our relationship," Mr. Zelensky added.
Mr. Woodward's book does not detail the supposed discussions between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin, but their exchanges have influenced Woodward's coverage. He suggests that the claims of corruption against Mr. Trump have turned him into "the most reckless and impulsive president in American history," and he exhibits similar traits as a candidate for the presidency in 2024.
Mr. Woodward's journalism played a crucial role in bringing down Richard Nixon's presidency, revealing the Watergate scandal through a sequence of impactful articles he wrote alongside his colleague Carl Bernstein at The Washington Post.
In his most recent book, the author reveals that Mr. Trump had discreetly provided Mr. Putin with several Covid-19 testing machines for his private use during the peak of the pandemic.
At that time, Russia and the United States did share medical supplies, but Mr. Putin allegedly advised Mr. Trump to keep the distribution of testing equipment under wraps.
“Mr. Putin asked Mr. Trump not to share that he had sent these to him,” the journalist reported.
Mr. Trump responded, according to Mr. Woodward, "I’m not bothered." "Alright then."
According to reports, Mr. Putin stated, “No, no. I prefer that you keep this to yourself, as people will turn their anger towards you, not me. They don't really care about me.”
The release date for War is set for October 15.
