In a startling revelation just weeks ahead of the US presidential elections, a new report claims that former President Donald Trump has been secretly maintaining contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving office.

This disclosure comes from the upcoming book War by veteran journalist Bob Woodward, known for his in-depth coverage of American presidencies.

According to The New York Times, Woodward’s book details how Trump, now running against Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 elections, had numerous conversations with Putin after his presidency ended in 2020. These secret communications reportedly included at least six phone calls between the two leaders, often initiated from Trump’s Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago.

In one instance, described in early 2024, Trump asked an aide to leave his office before placing a call to Putin. The aide, who remains unidentified, revealed to Woodward that this was not an isolated incident. These conversations, the book suggests, occurred even as Trump was actively urging Republican lawmakers to block U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

Secret COVID-19 Gesture

Woodward also uncovers another lesser-known interaction between Trump and Putin during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The book claims Trump secretly sent rare COVID-19 testing kits to Putin for personal use, a gesture that the Russian leader reportedly urged Trump to keep confidential. "I don’t want you to tell anybody because people will get mad at you, not me,” Putin allegedly told Trump, according to the book.

Election Impact

These revelations are likely to stir controversy as Trump continues his campaign for a second term in office. His relationship with Putin has long been a subject of scrutiny, with critics questioning his stance on Russia, particularly after he referred to Putin as a "genius" following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In the first 2024 presidential debate with Kamala Harris, Trump reiterated his long-standing claim that, if re-elected, he would end the Ukraine-Russia war within a day, though he offered no specific details on how he would achieve such a feat.

Trump has also been vocal in criticising the U.S. for providing military aid to Ukraine, aligning himself with Republicans who oppose further support for the war-torn country. These latest revelations, however, raise further questions about Trump’s potential motivations and his ongoing relationship with Russia.

Aide Denies Knowledge of Calls

While the book does not specify the content of the conversations between Trump and Putin, Jason Miller, one of Trump’s top campaign aides, was quoted as saying he had "not heard that they’re talking.” However, Miller added, “I’m sure they’d know how to get in touch with each other” if the two leaders wanted to communicate.

Woodward’s book War, set to be released later this month, is expected to reignite debate over Trump’s foreign policy ties, particularly with Russia, as the 2024 election approaches. Trump’s campaign has yet to respond directly to the allegations made in the book.