Donald Trump was determined to forge a close relationship with Vladimir Putin during his presidency despite concerns about Russian interference in American democracy and objections from advisers, a former top aide has claimed in a new book, according to an excerpt published on Saturday.
The new behind-the-scenes briefing from Trump’s second national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, comes as Americans are about to decide whether the former president should return to the White House, and as U.S. officials warn of new foreign interference in the election.
In an excerpt from his memoir published in the Wall Street Journal, McMaster said he told his wife in March 2018, “After more than a year in this job, I just can’t comprehend the hold Putin has on Trump.”
McMaster, a former lieutenant general, became Trump’s national security adviser in February 2017 and says that from the start, discussing Vladimir Putin and Russia with the president was “difficult.”
He said Trump linked “all topics related to Russia” to the federal investigation into Moscow’s interference in the 2016 election and possible ties to Trump’s campaign, an inquiry that would impact his entire presidency.
U.S. officials have warned this year of new efforts by foreign powers including Russia and Iran to interfere in the November election, in which Trump faces Vice President Kamala Harris.
McMaster says an “overconfident” President Trump sought to improve relations with Russia early in his administration by building a personal rapport with Putin.
But McMaster says the Russian president, “a ruthless former KGB operative, exploited Trump’s ego and insecurities through flattery.”
“Trump has exposed his weakness for that approach, his fondness for powerful men, and his belief that only he can build a good relationship with Putin,” he said.
McMaster detailed multiple instances of disagreements with Trump over his approach to Putin, which ultimately led to his ouster.
McMaster said Trump called Putin to congratulate him after he was elected to a fourth term in March 2018, but he told the president the vote was rigged.
Nevertheless a call was scheduled.
McMaster said that before Trump called Putin, he had warned him that the call was likely being presented as a tacit endorsement by the Kremlin of the election process and a bid to boost Russia’s image, which at the time was tainted by the assassination attempt on British soil.
He said he asked Trump: “When Russia is trying to delegitimize our legitimate election, why would you help them delegitimize their illegitimate election?”
Trump nevertheless called Putin and congratulated him, and then requested that the Russian president be invited to the White House.
He said Trump was irritated with McMaster “because I was the main person telling him that Putin was using him and other politicians from both parties in an effort to shake Americans’ faith in our democratic principles, institutions and processes.”
McMaster was replaced days later by John Bolton, who was also fired about a year and a half later.
While Trump had four national security advisers during his tenure, President Joe Biden has had only one national security adviser since taking office in 2021.
“With Donald Trump, most of the people are tired, and my time has come,” McMaster wrote.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
