Trump said he threatened to bomb two countries, and got a chilling response

Donald Trump, during his 2024 presidential campaign, privately asserted that he had issued stark warnings to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding potential invasions. These claims, revealed in exclusive audio from a private fundraiser, detail alleged threats to bomb the capitals of both nations should they proceed with military action against Ukraine and Taiwan, respectively.

The accounts, found by CNN, shed light on Trump’s self-described “madman theory” approach to foreign policy and his evolving frustrations with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. During a private fundraising event last year, Trump recounted a conversation he claimed to have had with President Putin before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He stated that he warned the Russian leader, indicating that if an invasion of Ukraine occurred, he would “bomb the s*** out of Moscow,” emphasizing that he felt he had “no choice.”

According to Trump, Putin’s immediate four-word reply was, “I don’t believe you.” Despite this seemingly dismissive response, Trump later suggested that Putin did, in fact, put some credence into his threat, estimating that the Russian president “believed me 10%.” This alleged exchange highlights Trump’s long-held assertion that Putin would never have invaded Ukraine if he had remained in office, attributing this to a powerful private conversation they once shared.

Trump threatened two big countries with bombings

Trump also claimed to have delivered a similar threat to China’s President Xi Jinping concerning a potential invasion of Taiwan. He recounted telling Xi that if China moved on Taiwan, he would “bomb” the country, implying a drastic response to deter such an action. Trump suggested that Xi initially thought he was “crazy” for making such a statement, but ultimately believed him.

These revelations underscore Trump’s belief in projecting an unpredictable and assertive stance to influence global leaders. He explained to donors that he employed a “madman theory,” where leaders perceived him as “crazy enough” to take extreme actions if they crossed him, thereby compelling them to accede to his wishes. He maintained that this strategy had given him control over these leaders in the past.

However, since taking office, Trump has expressed growing dissatisfaction and frustration with Vladimir Putin’s continued actions in Ukraine. His campaign rhetoric often centered on a promise to swiftly resolve the conflict, suggesting that Putin was intimidated by him and that he could easily broker a deal. Yet, recent developments indicate a significant shift in his perspective.

Trump has openly stated his unhappiness with Putin, noting that the Russian leader has not been listening to his demands. He recently described Putin’s communications as “meaningless” and “bulls***,” signaling a clear exasperation with the ongoing war. This contrasts sharply with his earlier claims of a strong relationship and an ability to make a deal with Putin.

He initially believed he could achieve more with Putin than previous presidents, but this has evidently not been the case. The audio from the fundraiser, where he boasted about his ability to exert pressure on Putin, now stands in stark contrast to his current public frustration.