Trump has had "as many as seven" phone calls with Putin since leaving office, book claims
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Donald Trump shakes hands with Russia's Vladimir Putin at a news conference in Helsinki in July 2018. Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Former President Trump has stayed in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving the White House, according to journalist Bob Woodward's forthcoming book "War."
Why it matters: The book sheds new light on the personal relationship between Trump and Putin, the leader of a U.S. adversary, less than a month before the presidential election.
- The book also reveals that Trump secretly sent Putin scarcely available COVID-19 testing equipment for his personal use during the early days of the pandemic.
- CNN reported that that Trump sent Putin "a bunch of Abbott Point of Care Covid test machines" while the New York Times reported he sent Putin "rare" COVID-19 tests.
- "Please don't tell anybody you sent these to me," Putin told to Trump, according to the book, apparently concerned Trump could be politically damaged.
- Both outlets reported details Tuesday after obtaining a copies of the book, set for publication next week.
Zoom in: The former president and Putin have "maybe as many as seven" conversations since Trump left office in 2021, Woodward wrote citing an unidentified Trump aide.
- The book quotes Trump aide Jason Miller saying he is unaware of any talks between Trump and Putin.
The book also recounts behind-the-scenes stories from within the Biden administration and Trump's relationship with other Republicans.
- It covers Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) efforts to get Trump to move on from his 2020 election loss.
It covers President Biden's tumultuous relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack last year and often profane quotes about world leaders, including Putin.
- "He's a f----ing liar," Woodward quotes Biden as saying of Netanyahu after Israel's incursion into Rafah, per CNN.
The big picture: Trump has long faced scrutiny over his relationship to Putin and his stance towards Russia, particularly in contrast to President Biden.
- Trump has routinely avoided criticizing Putin, even going so far as to praise him as a "genius" and "very savvy" for his strategy in Ukraine.
- Trump has been critical of the Biden administration's aid to Ukraine in the wake of Russia's unprovoked invasion, at times opposing aid that isn't given as a loan.
- During the presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris last month, Trump refused to say he wanted to see U.S. ally Ukraine win the war against Russia.
Biden has openly criticized Putin and offered the U.S.' staunch support to Ukraine and NATO.
- Trump sparked outcry earlier this year by suggesting that he'd encourage Russia to do "whatever the hell they want" if a NATO ally wasn't paying their fair share to the alliance.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told Axios the book's claims were "made up stories." He added Trump gave Woodward "absolutely no access for this trash book."
- "Woodward is a total sleazebag who has lost it mentally, and he's slow, lethargic, incompetent and overall a boring person with no personality," Cheung added.
Go deeper: Scoop: Woodward's "War" reveals new Biden backstory
