Bob Woodward’s Book Reveals Trump’s Secret Calls with Putin \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Bob Woodward’s new book, War, reveals that former President Donald Trump had up to seven private calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin after leaving office and secretly sent COVID-19 test machines to him during the pandemic. The book also highlights President Joe Biden’s frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and details tensions with other world leaders. Trump’s communications team denied the claims, calling them fabricated.
Bob Woodward’s War: Key Revelations on Trump and Biden: Quick Looks
- Woodward reports Trump had as many as seven private calls with Vladimir Putin since leaving the White House.
- Trump allegedly sent COVID-19 test machines to Putin during the pandemic, a move he agreed to keep secret.
- Biden’s frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu boiled over during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
- Biden criticized former President Obama for mishandling Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea.
- Senator Lindsey Graham compared visiting Trump at Mar-a-Lago to “going to North Korea” due to the constant praise Trump receives.
Deep Look:
Trump’s Private Conversations with Putin
One of the most shocking revelations in Woodward’s book is that Donald Trump allegedly had multiple private conversations with Vladimir Putin after leaving office. According to Woodward, Trump had as many as seven calls with Putin, one of which occurred at his Mar-a-Lago resort in early 2024. During that call, Trump reportedly asked an aide to leave the room, seeking privacy as he spoke with the Russian president.
Trump’s relationship with Putin has long been a focal point of controversy. It first came under scrutiny during his 2016 presidential campaign when he called on Russia to find Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton’s missing emails. Despite U.S. intelligence agencies concluding that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to support Trump’s candidacy, an investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller found no direct conspiracy between Trump’s campaign and Russia. Still, Trump’s perceived closeness to Putin has continued to draw criticism, particularly after he publicly questioned U.S. intelligence findings following a 2018 meeting with Putin in Helsinki.
Secretly Sending COVID Test Machines to Russia
Woodward’s book also alleges that Trump sent COVID-19 test machines to Putin during the height of the pandemic. According to the book, Trump agreed to provide the machines for Putin’s personal use, despite the shortage of such equipment in the United States. While Putin allegedly told Trump not to disclose the act, fearing backlash, Trump reportedly said he didn’t care about the potential political fallout, though he ultimately agreed to keep it secret.
This revelation adds a new layer to the controversy surrounding Trump’s handling of the pandemic. It was previously reported that the U.S. had sent ventilators and medical supplies to several countries, including Russia, but Woodward’s claim of sending test machines specifically for Putin’s personal use had not been revealed until now.
In response to these claims, Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, dismissed the allegations as baseless, accusing Woodward of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Trump has also been embroiled in legal disputes with Woodward over his earlier book Rage, in which Trump’s recorded interviews were publicly released. Trump claimed Woodward did not have permission to release the recordings, a charge both Woodward and the publisher deny.
Biden’s Frustration with Netanyahu
The book also sheds light on President Joe Biden’s strained relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly during the Israel-Hamas war. According to Woodward, Biden has expressed deep frustration and distrust toward Netanyahu, feeling that the Israeli leader had lied to him on numerous occasions.
In a heated private moment earlier this year, Biden reportedly referred to Netanyahu as a “son of a bitch” and a “bad f——— guy,” accusing him of making false promises about targeting Hamas. Biden was said to have threatened to withhold U.S. weapons shipments over Israel’s aggressive military stance in Gaza.
While Biden and Netanyahu have known each other for years, their relationship has never been close. Tensions have escalated in recent months as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensified, leading to increased pressure on the U.S. to mediate a cease-fire. Last week, Biden openly questioned whether Netanyahu was stalling a potential Middle East peace deal to influence the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
White House spokesperson Emilie Simons responded to the book’s claims by emphasizing the strength of U.S.-Israel relations, calling the U.S. commitment to Israel “ironclad.” She did not, however, comment directly on Biden’s reported outbursts, highlighting that Biden and Netanyahu have a “long-term, honest, and direct relationship.”
Criticism of Obama Over Russia’s Crimea Invasion
Woodward’s book also recounts Biden’s private criticisms of former President Barack Obama’s handling of the 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea. Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president during the invasion, reportedly told a close friend last December that “they f—– up in 2014,” expressing regret over the U.S.’s lack of action when Putin seized Crimea and part of eastern Ukraine.
Biden’s remarks reflect his broader frustration with how the U.S. responded to Russia’s aggressive moves in the region. He has long believed that Obama’s administration did not take Putin seriously enough, leading to further instability and the eventual full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Regrets Over Appointing Merrick Garland as Attorney General
Another major revelation from War is Biden’s reported regret over choosing Merrick Garland as U.S. Attorney General. Woodward claims that Biden was infuriated when Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate his son, Hunter Biden, on charges related to gun possession and tax evasion. Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to both charges earlier this year, and he is due to be sentenced in December.
According to Woodward, Biden told an associate that Garland should never have been selected as attorney general, expressing his disappointment in the decision that led to heightened scrutiny of his family.
Lindsey Graham’s Mar-a-Lago Visit: ‘Like North Korea’
In addition to revelations about Biden, the book offers insights into Trump’s inner circle, with one of his closest allies, Senator Lindsey Graham, making a startling comparison. During a visit to Mar-a-Lago shortly after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Graham reportedly likened the atmosphere at Trump’s Florida estate to “going to North Korea,” where “everybody stands up and claps every time Trump comes in.”
Graham, a longtime supporter of Trump, has been one of the few Republicans who continued to work closely with the former president despite his repeated claims that the 2020 election was stolen. In the book, Graham describes Trump’s circle of aides as enablers who reinforce his false election narratives. Woodward also reveals that Graham played a role in convincing Trump to run for president again in 2024, offering political advice and supporting his candidacy.
Saudi Crown Prince’s Burner Phones
Woodward also recounts a bizarre episode involving Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to the book, when Senator Graham met with the crown prince after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, bin Salman retrieved one of his many burner phones, labeled “TRUMP 45,” to call the former U.S. president. The crown prince reportedly used another burner phone, labeled “JAKE SULLIVAN,” to contact Biden’s national security adviser.
The anecdote underscores the crown prince’s close ties with world leaders and his seemingly covert communication methods. It also highlights Graham’s role as an intermediary between Saudi Arabia and Trump, further solidifying the connection between the former president and the Saudi regime.
Conclusion
Bob Woodward’s War provides a deep dive into the secretive and often contentious relationships between Trump, Biden, and global leaders. From Trump’s private calls with Putin to Biden’s frustration with Netanyahu and Garland, the book paints a picture of the behind-the-scenes drama that continues to shape U.S. politics. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, these revelations are sure to fuel further debate about both Trump’s and Biden’s leadership.
Bob Woodward’s Book Bob Woodward’s Book
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