Former President Donald Trump has dismissed allegations made in Bob Woodward’s upcoming book, “War,” that he secretly sent COVID-19 testing equipment to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the pandemic and had multiple private conversations with the Russian leader since leaving office. Trump has denied the claims, calling them “made-up stories” and accusing Woodward of creating fiction.
The book, set to be released in mid-October 2024, describes Trump as having sent Putin COVID-19 test machines at a time when the U.S. was experiencing a significant shortage. According to Woodward, Trump sent Abbott COVID-19 testing devices specifically for Putin’s personal use, keeping the delivery under wraps at Putin’s request.
Beyond these COVID test shipments, Woodward claims Trump continued to stay in touch with Putin after his presidency, possibly speaking up to seven times by phone. One reported call allegedly occurred early in 2024 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, where Trump reportedly asked his aide to leave so he could take the private call. Trump’s campaign, however, strongly denied these interactions, insisting that Woodward’s work is entirely fabricated.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, rebuked Woodward’s claims with a handful of harsh remarks. Cheung labeled Woodward “a truly demented and deranged man who suffers from a debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome” and accused him of peddling falsehoods. He added that the former president gave him no access for the “trash book” that belongs in the bargain bin of the fiction section.
Cheung did not hold back, further describing Woodward as “an angry, little man” and a “total sleazebag who has lost it mentally.” These stinging rebukes reflect the Trump campaign’s determination to discredit the allegations before the book’s release.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the report of the COVID-19 tests, telling the media that they had also sent equipment at the start of the pandemic. However, Peskov denied the claims of phone calls between Trump and Putin, calling it a false story typical of a pre-election political campaign.
Woodward’s book has not only stirred controversy but also reignited debates about Trump’s relationship with Russia, particularly with Putin. Trump’s ties to Putin have long been scrutinized, from his comments during the 2016 election encouraging Russia to find Hillary Clinton’s emails to his reluctance to support the intelligence community’s findings on Russian election interference.
In response to these latest revelations, President Joe Biden criticized Trump’s actions, questioning Trump’s ethics. “What the hell’s wrong with this guy?” Biden said during a recent speech, reflecting on Trump’s decision to send tests to Putin while Americans were struggling with shortages.
Woodward’s book also delves into the Biden administration’s stance on Russia, suggesting a sharp contrast between Biden’s and Trump’s approaches. Woodward reports Biden’s frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other foreign leaders, shedding light on Biden’s often blunt assessments in private discussions.
Bob Woodward is a well-known American investigative journalist and author renowned for his in-depth reporting on U.S. politics and government. He gained national prominence in the early 1970s when he and fellow reporter Carl Bernstein uncovered the Watergate scandal for “The Washington Post.” Their investigative work exposed the Nixon administration’s involvement in the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, ultimately leading to President Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974. This groundbreaking reporting earned “The Washington Post” a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
Woodward has authored or co-authored numerous books, many of which provide detailed insights into presidential administrations and significant political events.
Woodward is famous for his meticulous investigative techniques and ability to secure interviews with key political figures, providing the public with unprecedented access to the inner workings of government. His contributions have significantly shaped modern investigative journalism, setting high standards for accuracy and depth in reporting.
As Trump positions himself for another presidential run, these allegations have intensified scrutiny over his actions and connections during and after his presidency. His campaign’s forceful denials and personal attacks on Woodward only add fuel to the fire, leaving many questions unanswered as Woodward’s book release approaches.
