Amid ongoing scrutiny of former President Donald Trump and his connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin, new allegations have emerged regarding the sharing of COVID-19 testing supplies. These claims, gaining traction from a recent book, have led to significant public interest and questions about their validity.
This article examines the claims surrounding Donald Trump allegedly sending COVID-19 tests to Putin.
Allegations of Trump Sending COVID-19 Tests to Putin
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it has been reported that former President Donald Trump sent COVID-19 testing kits to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This controversial action, purportedly taken at Putin’s request, has raised eyebrows given the global shortage of testing supplies at the time.
The claims suggest that Putin, concerned about the virus, urged Trump to handle the matter discreetly to avoid any political repercussions. Furthermore, it is alleged that Trump has communicated privately with Putin up to seven times since leaving office in January 2021. Notably, there was an incident in early 2024 where Trump reportedly asked an aide to step out of his office in Mar-a-Lago to speak privately with Putin, though the contents of their discussions remain undisclosed.
In response to these allegations, Trump’s campaign has categorically denied their accuracy, with campaign director Steven Cheung stating that the stories are fabricated. On the Russian side, the Kremlin has acknowledged that Trump did send testing equipment but refuted the idea of frequent communication between the two leaders after Trump’s presidency. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the shipment of COVID-19 testing machines while disputing the frequency of alleged calls.
The emergence of these claims arrives as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris openly criticize Trump’s relationship with Putin, especially regarding recent geopolitical tensions. The revelations continue to stoke the debate surrounding Trump’s actions and influence during a critical time.
