Former President Donald Trump has engaged in up to seven private phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving office, according to revelations in Bob Woodward’s forthcoming book, “War.” The book also claims Trump secretly sent COVID-19 test machines to Russia during the height of the pandemic.
Woodward, the renowned Watergate journalist, provides these insights in his latest work, set for release next week. The Associated Press obtained an early copy of the book, which delves into various high-level political interactions.
In one instance, Woodward reports that Trump requested an aide to leave his Mar-a-Lago office in early 2024 to facilitate a private call with Putin. The book suggests there have been multiple such calls since Trump’s presidency ended, though the content of these conversations remains undisclosed.
Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, told Woodward he was unaware of these calls but acknowledged the possibility of communication between the two leaders. Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, vehemently denied the book’s claims, dismissing them as “the work of a truly demented and deranged man.”
The book also touches on President Joe Biden’s frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s use of multiple burner phones.
Trump’s relationship with Putin has been a subject of scrutiny since his 2016 presidential campaign, including his public call for Russia to find Hillary Clinton’s deleted emails. U.S. intelligence agencies later concluded that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election to benefit Trump, though special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation found no conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.
In recent years, Trump has criticized U.S. support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, suggesting Ukraine should have made concessions to Putin before the 2022 invasion. He has also previously praised Putin’s intelligence regarding the Ukraine invasion.
Trump, in an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, denied Woodward’s reporting, calling the author “a storyteller” who has “lost his marbles.” This follows a lawsuit Trump filed against Woodward over his 2021 book “Rage,” alleging unauthorized release of interview recordings.
Woodward’s “War” promises to provide further insights into the complex web of international relations and the behind-the-scenes communications of world leaders, potentially influencing public perception of recent geopolitical events.
