Trump on reported Putin calls: 'If I did, it is a smart thing'
Former President Trump on Tuesday defended conversations he's reportedly had with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving the White House, even as he declined to confirm they took place.
Trump was asked by Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait during an interview at an economic forum in Chicago about reports in Bob Woodward's new book that he'd spoken with Putin since leaving office.
"I don't comment on that, but I will tell you that if I did, it is a smart thing," Trump said. "If I'm friendly with people, if I have a relationship with people, that's a good thing, not a bad thing. ... He's got 2,000 nuclear weapons, and so do we."
Woodward’s book, “War,” revealed the two leaders have secretly been in touch over the last few years, speaking at least seven times since Trump left office. The book also claimed that while still in office, the Republican nominee sent COVID-19 testing equipment to Putin in the early days of the pandemic.
The Kremlin later confirmed Trump had sent the tests.
The revelations, denied by the Trump team and partially confirmed by the Kremlin, have raised new questions into the nature and legality of the relationship between the two men, one of whom is an avowed adversary of the United States.
Trump has repeatedly touted his strong personal relationship with Putin and has suggested it would benefit the U.S. if he is reelected.
Date: | |
Tag: | Donald Trump |
Topics
-
Top stories - ABC News
Trump: 'If I did' talk to Putin, 'it's a smart thing'
Donald Trump declined to say Tuesday if he's been in touch with Vladimir Putin since he left the White House but said it would have been smart if he had.1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
World - The Guardian
US election live: Trump dodges question on peaceful transfer of power and insists talking to Putin would be ‘smart thing’ to do
Ex-US president insists 2020 transition was peaceful despite Congress attack; Trump refuses to say whether he has spoken to Russian president since leaving office . Don’t miss important election ...34 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - NBC News
'I don't comment on that': Trump on if he has spoken to Putin since leaving office
During an interview at the Economic Club of Chicago, former President Trump was asked if he has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin since he left office but said he would not comment.2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
5 things to know about Harris and Trump on taxes
Tax policy is set to take center stage after the election, as major portions of the tax code are due to expire by the end of 2025. Key portions of former President Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — ...4 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Top stories - BBC News
'I joked I'd give him £500 if he scored' – but did Trent experiment work?
Trent Alexander-Arnold played at left-back and scored for England in the win against Finland. But did the experiment work?Yesterday -
Sports - CBS Sports
West Virginia's Neal Brown offers plea for fan support: 'What I would say is -- did they have a good time?'
West Virginia is off to a 3-3 start to the 2024 season with two losses coming to chief rivals19 hours ago -
World - Yahoo News
Indonesia’s Next President Calls Up Possible Ministers, Media Reports Say
Yesterday
More from The Hill
-
Politics - The Hill
The Advocate endorses Harris for president
The Advocate, the nation’s oldest and largest LGBTQ-focused publication, on Tuesday endorsed Vice President Harris for president. “Harris, the Democratic nominee, is exponentially better on every ...21 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Watch live: Walz rallies voters in Pittsburgh amid final stretch
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Vice President Harris's running mate, is campaigning Tuesday evening in Pittsburgh, as the White House race enters its final stretch. The vice presidential hopeful gave ...30 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Judge mulls new Georgia election rules, including ballot hand-count
A Georgia judge must decide whether to squash new state election rules, including a controversial change requiring hand-counted verification of ballots, in the final weeks before November’s ...53 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
House Democrats call on companies to retain DEI program
Forty-nine House Democrats signed an open letter to Fortune 1,000 chief executives asking them to affirm their commitment to their workplace equality initiatives, amid heightened backlash and legal ...1 hour ago -
Politics - The Hill
5 takeaways from Trump's Bloomberg interview
Former President Trump on Tuesday sat down with the editor-in-chief of Bloomberg News for an expansive and at times confrontational interview. The former president clashed with Bloomberg’s John ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump