Donald Trump told donors at a private fundraiser in 2024 that he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin he would “bomb the sh*t out of Moscow” if Russia invaded Ukraine.
The remark is part of a series of tapes from Trump’s 2024 fundraisers in New York and Florida, recorded last year and obtained by reporters Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf.
The trio detailed the recordings in their new book, “2024,” which includes numerous behind-the-scenes conversations from Trump’s campaign for a second term.
“With Putin I said, ‘If you go into Ukraine, I’m going to bomb the sh*t out of Moscow. I’m telling you I have no choice,’” Trump is heard saying in the audio obtained by CNN. “And then [Putin] goes, like, ‘I don’t believe you.’ But he believed me 10%.”
The Trump campaign declined to comment on the contents of the tapes.
In the same fundraiser audio, Trump recounted a similar conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, claiming he warned Xi the US would bomb Beijing if China attacked Taiwan.
“He thought I was crazy,” Trump said. “But we never had a problem.”
The recordings come as Trump continues to argue that both the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza would never have happened under his leadership – a central theme of his reelection campaign. Trump insists that his unpredictable style and threats deterred adversaries from escalating global conflicts.
It’s worth noting that in May 2024, reports emerged that then-presumptive Republican presidential nominee Trump had suggested he would have bombed both Moscow and Beijing if Russia invaded Ukraine or China attacked Taiwan during his presidency.
According to The Washington Post, Trump made the remark during one of his nationwide fundraising events, a statement that reportedly stunned some of the donors in attendance.
“At one event, he suggested that he would have bombed Moscow and Beijing if Russia invaded Ukraine or China invaded Taiwan, surprising some of the donors,” reporter Josh Dawsey wrote, without offering further details.
After voicing dissatisfaction with his latest call with Putin, Trump hinted Tuesday that the Russian leader may no longer be a trustworthy partner.
The US President renewed criticism of Putin’s unwillingness to make peace in Ukraine, saying during a Cabinet meeting: “I’m not happy with Putin. I’m very unhappy with them.” He added, “He’s throwing a lot of bullsh*t at us.”
The Trump administration on Tuesday insisted it “never meant” to halt support for Ukraine and would continue providing aid as Kyiv defends itself from intensifying Russian attacks.
“We’ve been helping them, we’ll continue to help them,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a daily briefing, responding to questions from Kyiv Post. “The [US] president feels obviously very passionate and determined regarding the ability of Ukraine to defend itself.”
Trump earlier voiced frustration with Putin and pledged more weapons for Ukraine: “It’s turned out to be tougher,” he said of the war.
Bruce also pushed back on speculation about a policy shift, saying, “We have been and remain Ukraine’s biggest supporters. We care about those people.”
The remarks followed backlash over the Pentagon’s July 2 decision to temporarily pause weapons shipments – including Patriot missiles – citing low US stockpiles. Trump later reversed the move after reports that Russia exploited the pause to launch deadly airstrikes on Ukrainian cities.
The Pentagon has denied claims that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acted without informing Trump.
When asked who had approved the pause, Trump deflected: “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” Pressed about further sanctions on Russia, the president said, “I’m looking at it.”