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Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly said he had warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that he would bomb Moscow if Russia invaded Ukraine. The comments were made during private fundraising events in 2024, according to audio recordings obtained by CNN and featured in a new book titled 2024.
In the recording, Trump recalled telling Putin, “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 then claimed that Putin didn’t believe him but “believed me 10%.”
The timing of this comment is confusing, as Russia had already invaded Ukraine in February 2022—two years before the reported conversation. The war in Ukraine was well underway when Trump made the statement during his 2024 presidential campaign.
Known for his bold and sometimes exaggerated claims, Trump often uses aggressive language, especially during rallies or closed-door events. His relationship with Putin has been complicated: he has often praised the Russian leader publicly, while also occasionally threatening strong action, including sanctions. However, during his current term, which began in January 2025, Trump has reportedly not followed through on many of his tough warnings to Russia.
The recordings also revealed that Trump gave a similar warning to Chinese President Xi Jinping. He claimed that he told Xi the U.S. would bomb Beijing if China invaded Taiwan. “He thought I was crazy,” Trump said, describing Xi’s reaction.
Another controversial moment from the recordings was Trump’s comment about pro-Palestinian student protesters in the U.S. “One thing I’d do is any student that protests, I would throw them out of the country,” Trump said. “Those people made a big mistake. Throw them out of the country, and I think that will stop it.”
This statement has sparked renewed concerns over Trump’s stance on free speech, especially on college campuses. During his previous and current terms, his administration has faced criticism for targeting foreign students who joined demonstrations in support of Palestine. In some cases, students were reportedly arrested by plainclothes officers who did not identify themselves and were later sent to detention centers far from their schools.
Universities and student groups have pushed back, saying these actions violate the American principles of free speech and academic freedom. Many believe that punishing peaceful protest with deportation undermines the values that U.S. universities stand for.
The new book 2024, which includes these recordings, is expected to draw further attention to Trump’s foreign policy approach and his hardline stance on political dissent. The authors, a team of investigative journalists, say the tapes provide insight into how Trump views global leaders and his own power.
While Trump supporters may see his words as a sign of strength and decisiveness, critics argue they show a reckless attitude that could damage America’s global image and threaten basic freedoms at home.
As these revelations spread, they are likely to fuel more debate about Trump’s leadership style, especially as he continues his second term in the White House. Whether these remarks were serious threats or simply part of his campaign bravado remains unclear—but they are already making waves both in Washington and around the world.