Nov 20, 2019

Sondland says he likely told Trump that Zelensky "loves your ass"

EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland said during his impeachment testimony on Wednesday that it was likely that he told President Trump during a July 26 phone call that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "loves your ass."

The big picture: The details of the call, which Sondland testified included a discussion of Biden-linked investigations, first came to light during State Department official David Holmes' closed-door testimony. Sondland said that his statement was "putting it in Trump-speak" because the president uses "a lot of four-letter words." He added that it "meant that [Zelensky] would really work with us on a whole host of issues."

Go deeper: Live updates on Sondland's impeachment testimony

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Axios

Highlights from Gordon Sondland's impeachment testimony

Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

European Union Ambassador Gordon Sondland testified Wednesday in one of the week's most-anticipated impeachment hearings.

Driving the news: In his opening statement, Sondland said that he worked with Rudy Giuliani "at the express direction" of President Trump on matters involving Ukraine.

Go deeperUpdated Nov 20, 2019

Ursula Perano

Holmes: Trump-Sondland call was likely monitored by Russians

Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

A transcript of State Department official David Holmes' impeachment testimony published Monday reveals that he assumes calls made from Ukraine are usually monitored by Russians — including one between U.S. ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland and President Trump on July 26.

What they're saying: Holmes, who works at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, said in closed-door testimony that Sondland phoned Trump the day after the president's now-famous call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. Holmes said Sondland used his mobile phone for the call, which was "surprising" because "generally, phone calls with the president are very sensitive and handled accordingly."

Go deeperNov 19, 2019

Axios

Trump's shifting story on his relationship with Gordon Sondland

Photo: Joshua Lott/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump told reporters outside the White House on Wednesday that he "doesn't know" EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland "very well."

Why it matters: It's the latest walk-back from the president about his relationship with Sondland, who donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural committee.

Go deeperNov 20, 2019