Former President Donald Trump raised eyebrows on Friday after he praised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s negotiating skills, labeling the recent high-profile prisoner exchange as a “win for Putin.” The exchange, which saw Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan among those released, marked the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
In an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business, Trump said, “As usual, it was a win for Putin or any other country that deals with us. But we got somebody back. So, I’m never going to be challenging that. It wouldn’t have happened with us, we would have gotten it back.”
Trump’s comments were rife with contradictions, stating, “They got a great deal. The Russians made a great deal… but they got a phenomenal deal and that sets a very bad precedent.” However, he also claimed, “The deal is very complex, because it just came out. So, nobody understands the deal yet.” This apparent confusion over the deal’s complexity was coupled with his critique that the deal was purposely made complicated to obscure its negative aspects.
Further contradicting himself, Trump asserted, “We got him back and we could have had him back. We should have had him back a long time ago. It should have never happened. It would have never happened. He shouldn’t have been taken in the first place. And it would have never happened with us if I was president.” This statement is particularly notable given that Whelan was detained in Russia during Trump’s presidency, and his administration made no significant moves to secure his release.
When Bartiromo asked if Trump believed there was more to the exchange than just a prisoner swap, Trump admitted, “I’ve no idea what they did. I just know it was a very complex deal.” This admission came despite his earlier claims of having the unique ability to secure the release of Gershkovich.
In May, Trump had confidently stated that he was the only person capable of negotiating Gershkovich’s release from a Russian prison. Following President Biden’s successful negotiation of the release, Trump has taken to social media to undermine the achievement with a series of skeptical posts.
Watch the clip below from Fox News:
Trump to Bartiromo on prisoners coming home: "Well, as usual it was a win for Putin, or any other country that deals with us. But we got somebody back so I'm never gonna be challenging that. It wouldn't have happened with us" (One of the prisoners was taken while Trump was POTUS) pic.twitter.com/UZwwgMI5hq
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 2, 2024
