Within the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, then-President Donald Trump despatched Russian President Vladimir Putin a COVID-19 take a look at system, in line with the brand new e-book “Battle” by way of Bob Woodward. “It is a second when COVID is working wild, now not simply in the US, on the earth,” Woodward informed “CBS Sunday Morning” in a contemporary interview. “He offers Abbott point-of-care trying out kits to Putin. I imply, those are valuable belongings to any person on the earth, within the nation, and he offers it to him for his private use.”Putin insisted Trump stay quiet concerning the reward, in line with Woodward.
Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the claims Tuesday all over an interview with Howard Stern, pronouncing, “Everyone was once scrambling to get those kits, those COVID take a look at kits, and this man, who is president of the US, is sending them to Russia, this murderous dictator, for his private use?”Even after leaving place of work, Trump has stayed in contact with the Russian president, in line with Woodward. An unidentified aide informed Woodward the previous president had as many as seven non-public calls with Putin — despite the fact that Woodward famous he was once not able to talk to Trump or Putin to ensure the calls came about, and he was once wasn’t ready to substantiate the calls during the Trump marketing campaign or intelligence resources.
However in line with the aide, one of the vital calls got here early this 12 months, when Trump was once urging Republicans to dam further support to Ukraine to assist the rustic’s struggle in opposition to Russia.The newly published contacts elevate further questions on Trump’s courting with Putin. In a contemporary presidential debate, Trump two times refused to mention who he sought after to be successful within the struggle between Russia and Ukraine. Harris informed “60 Mins” she believes Trump would have allowed Putin to overcome Ukraine.”If [Trump] had been president, Putin could be sitting in Kyiv at the moment,” Harris stated. “He talks about, ‘Oh, he can finish it on Day One.’ You recognize what this is? It is about give up.”
Trump’s 2024 marketing campaign communications director Steven Cheung blasted Woodward’s claims, pronouncing in a commentary, “None of those made up tales by way of Bob Woodward are true and are the paintings of a really demented and deranged guy who suffers from a debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.”Cheung stated Trump gave Woodward “completely no get admission to” for the e-book and stated it “belongs within the cut price bin of the fiction segment.” Woodward’s e-book additionally contains stories of President Biden’s non-public frustrations with Israeli Top Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Consistent with Woodward, because the combating in Gaza escalated previous this 12 months, Biden referred to Netanyahu as a “son of a b****” and referred to as him “a foul f***ing man.”
Extra from CBS Information
Scott MacFarlane
Scott MacFarlane is a congressional correspondent. He has lined Washington for twenty years, incomes 20 Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards. His reporting has resulted immediately within the passage of 5 new regulations.
