Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly kept in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to journalist Bob Woodward. Woodward claims Trump made at least seven phone calls to Putin since leaving office in January 2021, including one earlier this year from his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Trump’s campaign dismissed these claims, calling them false and describing Woodward as “demented.” Trump himself also denied the allegations, saying Woodward is a poor storyteller.
The Kremlin also denied that Putin and Trump have been in regular contact. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the claim is untrue.
These allegations come as the U.S. approaches its election on November 5. Woodward is known for his investigative work that helped bring down President Nixon in 1974. The claims have reignited concerns about Trump’s past relationship with Russia, which dates back to his 2016 campaign.
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During that time, Trump famously asked Russia to help find missing emails from his opponent, Hillary Clinton. U.S. intelligence concluded that Russia interfered in the election to help Trump, but a subsequent investigation found no conspiracy between his campaign and Russia.
As Trump seeks to return to the White House, he has highlighted his friendship with Putin. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump has claimed he could quickly end the war, although this would likely require Ukraine to give up territory, something its president has rejected.