Donald Trump raised eyebrows once again during an interview on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, as he appeared to confirm his continued relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The interview, held at the Economic Club of Chicago, quickly took a dramatic turn when Bloomberg’s editor-in-chief, John Micklethwait, pressed Trump on whether he had spoken with Putin after leaving the White House.
Micklethwait attempted to get a straight answer, asking, “Can you say, yes or no, whether you have talked to Vladimir Putin since you stopped being president?”
Trump, known for dodging direct responses, replied, “Well, I don’t comment on that, but I will tell you that, if I did, it’s a smart thing. If I’m friendly with people, if I have a relationship with people, that’s a good thing, not a bad thing.”
The response sparked further speculation, as Micklethwait quickly noted, “That sounds very much like you did talk to him.”
Reports surfaced last week claiming Trump had spoken with Putin at least seven times since leaving office. Trump’s team was quick to refute those claims, dismissing the reports, which originated from Bob Woodward’s book War, as “made-up stories” from “a truly demented and deranged man.” However, Trump’s latest remarks seemed to add fuel to the fire.
Throughout his recent public appearances, including a speech in Pennsylvania on Monday night, Trump has been vocal about his positive relationship with Putin, boasting, “I get along very well with Putin.” This ongoing connection, especially in light of global geopolitical tensions, continues to raise questions and concerns among both critics and supporters.
