Trump, Putin Held 7 Calls Since 2021, Bob Woodward Reports

Trump Putin conversations/ Bob Woodward book/ Trump post-presidency calls/ Trump Putin relationship/ Biden responses/ Woodward’s War/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Bob Woodward’s upcoming book reveals that former President Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Vladimir Putin multiple times since leaving office, including a private call at Mar-a-Lago. Trump’s 2024 campaign disputes these claims, while Woodward details other interactions and offers insights into the former president’s controversial ties with the Russian leader.

Trump-Putin Conversations: Quick Looks

• Reported Calls: Woodward’s book claims Trump and Putin spoke at least seven times post-presidency.
• Secretive Communication: Trump allegedly held private calls, even dismissing aides during one conversation.
• Book Release: Woodward’s War explores these interactions, set to publish on October 15.
• Campaign Response: Trump’s team denies Woodward’s allegations, calling the claims “fiction.”

Trump, Putin Held 7 Calls Since 2021, Bob Woodward Reports

Deep Look:

Bob Woodward’s latest book, War, set to be released on October 15, reveals surprising allegations about former President Donald Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin since Trump left the White House. According to Woodward’s reporting, Trump spoke with Putin as many as seven times since stepping down, with one conversation reportedly held in private at his Mar-a-Lago residence.

Woodward, whose career includes exposing the Watergate scandal, claims Trump orchestrated private phone calls with Putin, often behind closed doors. Woodward asked Jason Miller, a close Trump aide, about these conversations. Miller was noncommittal, stating, “Not that I’m aware of,” but did not entirely rule out such interactions. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, in a cautious response to Woodward’s inquiry, noted that she could not confirm or deny any post-presidential contact between Trump and Putin, acknowledging the complexity of tracking such interactions after a president leaves office.

In response to these revelations, Trump’s 2024 campaign team has sharply criticized Woodward. Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed the book’s claims, characterizing them as “fiction” created by Woodward, whom he accused of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Cheung further denounced Woodward, citing Trump’s pending lawsuit against the journalist for the unauthorized use of recordings from interviews conducted for Woodward’s 2020 book, Rage. Trump has accused Woodward of releasing portions of these interviews without permission, with attorneys for Woodward arguing that the material falls under fair use for reporting in the public interest.

Woodward’s War also delves into another revealing episode in which Trump allegedly sent Putin COVID-19 testing machines at the pandemic’s peak. The Russian leader reportedly requested that Trump keep the delivery confidential to avoid public scrutiny. Putin reportedly advised Trump, “Please don’t tell anybody you sent these to me.” Trump allegedly shrugged it off, but Putin pressed, explaining that the secrecy was necessary to avoid backlash against Trump rather than himself.

The book explores Biden’s reported exasperation with international conflicts, particularly with the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East. Woodward claims that Biden’s private responses to these events are blunt and profanity-laced, providing insight into the often-tense global diplomacy taking place behind closed doors.

Standing beside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York last month, Trump hinted at his confidence in diplomacy with Putin, emphasizing his “very good relationship” with the Russian leader and asserting that a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict could be possible under his leadership. Zelensky, however, was more cautious, remarking that he hoped for continued good relations between their nations.

Woodward’s book not only covers Trump’s post-presidency activities but also reexamines his character, depicting him as “reckless and impulsive,” a stance Woodward has held since he first reported on Trump’s presidency. Woodward posits that Trump’s conduct remains largely unchanged, calling into question how such a figure might influence U.S.-Russia relations if elected again.

As Trump’s team continues to refute Woodward’s findings, War promises to stir ongoing debates over Trump’s controversial actions and connections. The book underscores Woodward’s assessment of Trump as one of the most unconventional and impulsive presidents in American history, keeping pace with his candidacy for the 2024 election and his longstanding rapport with foreign powers.

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