In his latest book, War, veteran journalist Bob Woodward reveals a previously undisclosed episode from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Woodward, then-US President Donald Trump secretly sent a shipment of critically needed COVID-19 testing kits to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the height of the global shortage in 2020, when these resources were scarce worldwide.
According to Woodward, Trump sent the tests at Putin’s personal request, while the US was experiencing a severe shortage of such resources. The tests were provided for Putin’s personal use, with the Russian leader allegedly expressing concerns about the virus and his vulnerability to infection. To avoid political backlash, Putin is reported to have cautioned Trump against disclosing the transfer, saying, “I don’t want you to tell anybody because people will get mad at you, not me.”
This incident is part of Woodward’s broader examination of the relationship between Trump and Putin, which is characterised in the book as unusually close. The book claims that this relationship persisted well beyond Trump’s presidency. As Trump campaigns for the Republican nomination for the 2024 US presidential election, Woodward reports that Trump has maintained regular communication with the Russian leader, even conducting several phone calls with Putin in early 2024 from his residence at Mar-a-Lago. However, the nature of these conversations remains unknown.
Woodward’s reporting alleges that Trump has had at least seven conversations with Putin since leaving office in 2021, although Trump’s campaign team has denied this, with an unnamed campaign official casting doubt on the extent of the interactions. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, described Woodward’s book as “fiction,” claiming that Trump never gave an interview for the project.
Trump vs. Nixon: A Damning Comparison
In War, Woodward portrays Trump as a dangerously impulsive leader, going so far as to suggest that Trump was more reckless than Richard Nixon, whose presidency was destroyed by the Watergate scandal. Woodward, who played a central role in uncovering Nixon’s wrongdoings, asserts that Trump’s erratic behaviour, particularly in foreign policy, positions him as “the most reckless and impulsive president in American history.”
Woodward draws attention to Trump’s actions during the pandemic and his continued influence on international affairs, most notably with Russia and Ukraine. Despite no longer being in office, Trump’s scepticism towards US support for Ukraine has impacted the Republican Party’s stance on the war, Woodward argues. Trump’s influence reportedly led to a blockade of GOP support for Ukraine’s war effort, delaying financial aid to the country in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
A Look at Biden’s Leadership
War contrasts Trump’s approach to international crises with that of his successor, President Joe Biden. Woodward credits Biden with demonstrating “steady and purposeful leadership,” despite the challenges his administration has faced. The book particularly focuses on two significant international conflicts that have dominated Biden’s presidency: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas, backed by Iranian proxies.
Woodward reveals that Biden faced internal disagreements with his closest advisers over how to handle Russia’s aggressive posture towards Ukraine. Despite these disagreements, Biden ultimately chose to avoid committing US troops to Ukraine, a decision that shaped the international response to the conflict. Woodward also highlights Biden’s delicate negotiations with Russia to avoid escalation, including preventing the use of tactical nuclear weapons.
In his analysis of Biden’s decision-making, Woodward exposes moments of self-reflection by the president, particularly regarding his appointment of Attorney General Merrick Garland. Biden expressed regret over Garland’s handling of the legal cases involving his son, Hunter Biden, and Trump, according to the book.
A Glimpse into US-Israeli Relations
Woodward’s book also sheds light on the complex dynamics between the US and Israel under both Trump and Biden. It reveals Trump’s national security adviser, Keith Kellogg, secretly met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this year. Upon returning to the US, Kellogg released a memo criticising the Biden administration’s approach to Iran and suggesting that its policies had contributed to the escalation of violence in the Middle East.
Woodward contrasts Trump’s influence on Israeli relations with that of Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he portrays as playing a supportive but not pivotal role in shaping US foreign policy. Harris is shown engaging directly with leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, though the book claims her influence on foreign policy was limited compared to Biden.
A Lasting Influence on US Politics
War is Woodward’s fourth book on the Trump presidency, and it continues his in-depth examination of Trump’s impact on US governance and global affairs. The book depicts a volatile and self-serving leader who, despite being out of office, continues to shape the political landscape. Woodward’s latest volume highlights the ongoing influence Trump exerts over key US allies and adversaries alike, particularly in Russia and Israel.
As Trump campaigns for another term in the White House, War raises serious questions about his fitness for office, while casting a critical eye on Biden’s leadership during some of the most turbulent times in recent history. With its release coming just weeks before the US presidential election, Woodward’s book is certain to fuel further debate about the legacies of both Trump and Biden.
Read also:
J.D. Vance and Trump’s Vision for Ending the Russia-Ukraine War: A Misguided Approach?
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