Trump on reported Putin calls: ‘If I did, it is a smart thing’

Former President Trump on Tuesday defended conversations he’s reportedly had with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving the White House, even as he declined to confirm they took place.

Trump was asked by Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait during an interview at an economic forum in Chicago about reports in Bob Woodward’s new book that he’d spoken with Putin since leaving office.

“I don’t comment on that, but I will tell you that if I did, it is a smart thing,” Trump said. “If I’m friendly with people, if I have a relationship with people, that’s a good thing, not a bad thing. … He’s got 2,000 nuclear weapons, and so do we.”

Woodward’s book, “War,” revealed the two leaders have secretly been in touch over the last few years, speaking at least seven times since Trump left office. The book also claimed that while still in office, the Republican nominee sent COVID-19 testing equipment to Putin in the early days of the pandemic.

The Kremlin later confirmed Trump had sent the tests.

The revelations, denied by the Trump team and partially confirmed by the Kremlin, have raised new questions into the nature and legality of the relationship between the two men, one of whom is an avowed adversary of the United States.

Trump has repeatedly touted his strong personal relationship with Putin and has suggested it would benefit the U.S. if he is reelected.