Amid ongoing scrutiny of former President Donald Trump’s connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin, new allegations have surfaced regarding the controversial sharing of COVID-19 testing supplies. As these claims from Bob Woodward’s new book gain attention, many are left wondering whether these claims are true.
In this article, we will delve into the details about whether Donald Trump sent COVID-19 tests to Putin.
Trump sent Covid tests to Putin, claims Bob Woodward’s new book
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, former President Donald Trump reportedly sent COVID-19 testing kits to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as detailed in journalist Bob Woodward’s upcoming book, War.
At a time when testing supplies were in short supply across the globe, Trump allegedly provided these resources at Putin’s request, who was notably anxious about the virus. Woodward claims that Putin urged Trump to keep the matter confidential to avoid political backlash. (via The Washington Post)
The book also suggests that Trump has privately communicated with the Russian leader up to seven occasions since leaving office in January 2021. Woodward recounts an incident in early 2024 when Trump instructed an aide to exit his Mar-a-Lago office to take a private conversation with Putin. However, the specifics of their discussions remain unclear.
In response to these claims, Trump’s campaign has dismissed Woodward’s assertions as untrue. Campaign director Steven Cheung said, “None of these made-up stories by Bob Woodward are true.” On the Russian side, the Kremlin has confirmed that Trump sent testing equipment but rejected the notion that the two leaders have been in regular contact since his term ended.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the shipment of COVID-19 testing machines while denying the frequency of the alleged phone calls. The revelations come as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris openly criticize Trump’s relationship with Putin, particularly in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Woodward’s book has further fueled the debate surrounding Trump’s actions. (via First Post)