Former President Donald Trump is staying tight-lipped about whether he has communicated with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving the White House. During an interview Tuesday with Bloomberg News at the Economic Club of Chicago, Trump refused to confirm or deny recent claims that he has remained in contact with Putin, a subject that has sparked considerable speculation.
When asked directly if he has spoken with the Russian leader since his presidency ended, Trump responded, “I don’t talk about that.” However, he defended the idea of engaging in talks with Putin, emphasizing that maintaining relationships with world leaders is beneficial. “If I’m friendly with people, if I have a relationship with people, that’s a good thing, not a bad thing,” Trump stated during the interview. He suggested that if he had spoken with Putin, it would be a “smart thing” to do.
Trump’s comments come on the heels of allegations in investigative journalist Bob Woodward’s new book, which claims that Trump and Putin have secretly stayed in touch since Trump left office. According to the book, the two leaders have spoken at least seven times in recent years, a revelation that has fueled ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s ties to Russia.
While Trump did not confirm any direct communication with Putin, his defense of the idea raises questions about the nature of his post-presidential relationships with foreign leaders, particularly adversaries of the United States. Throughout his presidency, Trump was often criticized for his unusually close rapport with Putin, with some alleging that he was too accommodating to the Russian leader, especially concerning issues of national security.
The former president’s refusal to answer the question directly has only intensified the speculation around his relationship with Putin. Critics argue that any post-presidential talks with a foreign leader, especially one like Putin, should be transparent, while Trump’s supporters maintain that diplomacy should not be discouraged, even out of office.
In his book, Woodward details claims that Trump has continued his communications with Putin on several occasions, though the specifics of these alleged conversations remain unclear. Neither Trump nor Putin’s offices have confirmed the nature or existence of such talks.
As Trump gears up for a potential 2024 presidential run, his foreign policy approach and his personal relationships with figures like Putin are likely to face renewed scrutiny. His comments at the Economic Club of Chicago seem to suggest that Trump views his personal diplomacy as a strength, arguing that maintaining open channels with world leaders could be beneficial.
