A new book claims that Donald Trump secretly sent U.S. Covid-19 tests to Vladimir Putin for the Russian leader's personal use during the height of the pandemic, when such tests were in short supply.
The allegation comes from Bob Woodward in his latest book, ‘War’. Woodward, an investigative journalist, is best known for uncovering the Watergate scandal.
“None of these made-up stories by Bob Woodward are true,” Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung said.
“Woodward is an angry little man and is clearly upset because President Trump is successfully suing him because of the unauthorized publishing of recordings he made previously,” Cheung added.
When asked by Russian daily RBC if Putin and Trump had spoken on the phone about the COVID tests, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “No, that's not true.”
Woodward wrote in his book that a former Trump aide disclosed the secret shipment to him, revealing how Trump provided Putin with access to critical COVID testing resources at a time when many countries were struggling to secure them, British newspaper The Telegraph reported.
Woodward states in ‘War’ that Putin advised Trump to keep the deal quiet, warning that revealing the arrangement could result in a backlash.
According to the book, Putin cautioned Trump by saying: “I don’t want you to tell anybody because people will get mad at you, not me.”
“None of these made-up stories by Bob Woodward are true,” Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung said.
“Woodward is an angry little man and is clearly upset because President Trump is successfully suing him because of the unauthorized publishing of recordings he made previously,” Cheung added.
When asked by Russian daily RBC if Putin and Trump had spoken on the phone about the COVID tests, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “No, that's not true.”
Woodward wrote in his book that a former Trump aide disclosed the secret shipment to him, revealing how Trump provided Putin with access to critical COVID testing resources at a time when many countries were struggling to secure them, British newspaper The Telegraph reported.
Putin feared backlash, says book
Woodward states in ‘War’ that Putin advised Trump to keep the deal quiet, warning that revealing the arrangement could result in a backlash.
According to the book, Putin cautioned Trump by saying: “I don’t want you to tell anybody because people will get mad at you, not me.”
The book also reveals that Trump and Putin had a phone call in early 2024, as the Biden administration prepared to send additional military aid to Ukraine. This conversation occurred amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump, who is running for president again, has promised that if he wins the November election, he will end the war in Ukraine before he even takes office.
His position stands in stark contrast to that of his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, who has said she would not meet with Putin without the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The sharing and delivery of COVID equipment among countries was common during the pandemic. Under both the Trump and Biden administrations, the U.S. sent protective gear, ventilators and later vaccines to countries in need.
The U.S. also sent direct aid to countries like India, which struggled with a severe outbreak in 2021. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. became a key contributor to the COVAX program, providing millions of doses of vaccines to low- and middle-income countries.
Russia supplied medical equipment and aid to a number of countries, including Italy, Serbia, and Iran.
Critics accused both the U.S. and Russia of primarily aiding countries that served their geopolitical interests.
Trump, who is running for president again, has promised that if he wins the November election, he will end the war in Ukraine before he even takes office.
His position stands in stark contrast to that of his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, who has said she would not meet with Putin without the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Pandemic politics
The sharing and delivery of COVID equipment among countries was common during the pandemic. Under both the Trump and Biden administrations, the U.S. sent protective gear, ventilators and later vaccines to countries in need.
The U.S. also sent direct aid to countries like India, which struggled with a severe outbreak in 2021. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. became a key contributor to the COVAX program, providing millions of doses of vaccines to low- and middle-income countries.
Russia supplied medical equipment and aid to a number of countries, including Italy, Serbia, and Iran.
Critics accused both the U.S. and Russia of primarily aiding countries that served their geopolitical interests.
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