Former President Donald Trump has erupted in criticism following President Joe Biden’s announcement of a successful deal with Russia, resulting in the release of American prisoners. The deal notably includes Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.
In a fiery Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump focused not on the individuals freed but on his doubts about the terms of the agreement. He questioned whether the U.S. had paid or received cash, or if the deal involved releasing dangerous individuals. Trump’s statement notably excluded any mention of the freed prisoners by name.
“So when are they going to release the details of the prisoner swap with Russia?” Trump began. “How many people do we get versus them? Are we also paying them cash? Are they giving us cash (Please withdraw that question, because I’m sure the answer is NO)? Are we releasing murderers, killers, or thugs? Just curious because we never make good deals, at anything, but especially hostage swaps.”
Trump’s outburst comes as he faces criticism from within his own party for recent racially charged attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, Biden has received widespread praise for his diplomatic achievement, showcasing the emotional reunion of the prisoners with their families in a touching Oval Office moment.
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In his social media update, Biden shared a photograph from the Oval Office, capturing the emotional reunion of the freed prisoners with their loved ones.
“Today, I stood beside the families of Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir as they spoke to their loved ones for the first time since their release,” Biden wrote. “These families never lost hope. Today, they will each be reunited with the missing piece of their soul.”
Trump, on the other hand, criticized U.S. negotiators as failures, asserting that his own record of securing the release of hostages without concessions set a better precedent.
Our “negotiators” are always an embarrassment to us! I got back many hostages, and gave the opposing Country NOTHING – and never any cash. To do so is bad precedent for the future. That’s the way it should be, or this situation will get worse and worse. They are extorting the United States of America. They’re calling the trade “complex” – That’s so nobody can figure out how bad it is!”
