Trump says he 'turned down a deal' with Russia to exchange Viktor Bout for Paul Whelan
Fox News
Former President Donald Trump has written on his Truth Social account that he turned down a deal with Russia to swap Viktor Bout for captive American Paul Whelan.
"I turned down a deal with Russia for a one on one swap of the so-called Merchant of Death for Paul Whelan," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Sunday night, referencing Bout’s nickname. "I wouldn’t have made the deal for a hundred people in exchange for someone that has killed untold numbers of people with his arms deals" Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
"I would have gotten Paul out, however, just as I did with a record number of other hostages. The deal for Griner is crazy and bad," Trump also said. "The taking wouldn’t have even happened during my Administration, but if it did, I would have gotten her out, fast!"