Trump Sent Putin In-Demand Covid Tests During Height Of Pandemic, New Woodward Book Claims
by Stephen Pastis · ForbesTopline
Famed Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward’s soon-to-be-released book “War” describes a moment in 2020 when then-President Donald Trump sent scarce Covid test kits to Russian President Vladimir Putin, prompting Putin to warn Trump that he should keep the favor a secret for how it would reflect on Trump’s presidency.
Key Facts
In 2020, when Covid was at its height, leaving a shortage of medical supplies and test kits, Trump sent then-scarce tests to Putin for his personal use, the Washington Post reports, citing the book.
In response, Putin warned Trump to keep the exchange a secret: “I don’t want you to tell anybody because people will get mad at you, not me,” he said, according to the book.
Steven Cheung, Trump's communications director, denied the claims in a statement, sharing insults about Woodward and calling the book “trash.”
Putin is famously germ-averse, and throughout the pandemic, he was captured sitting at comically long tables to (among other potential reasons) distance himself from leaders and remain isolated.
Woodward’s “War” will publish on Oct. 15, reportedly covering secret conversations of world leaders like President Joe Biden, Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris and Putin.
Key Background
In a shocking moment, Trump most recently bragged about his “very good” relationship with Putin in September while standing next to Putin's enemy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Woodward’s book also depicts the two remaining in touch after his presidency, with an unnamed aide saying calls between the two happened as much as seven times since 2021, according to the Post, citing the book. Trump has also publicly praised Putin, once calling him a genius, according to the New York Times.
What To Watch For
Trump’s relationship with Putin has become a prominent point on the campaign trail and at rallies, with Trump never saying that he wants Ukraine to beat Russia in the ongoing war and the former president repeating his claim of ending the Ukraine war before he gets into office. Vice President Kamala Harris mocked Trump during the debate in September for cozying up to dictators, saying that “Putin would eat” Trump for lunch if he returns to office. At the debate, Harris also criticized Trump for his relationship with other dictators.