WASHINGTON — Audio recordings from a 2024 campaign fundraiser appear to reveal President Donald Trump claiming he once threatened Russian President Vladimir Putin with bombing Moscow if Russia invaded Ukraine, as Moscow unleashed its largest aerial assault on Ukraine hours after Trump publicly slammed Putin for talking “bulls***” about peace talks.
The explosive recordings, obtained by journalists Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf and detailed in their new book “2024,” capture Trump at private fundraisers in New York and Florida telling donors he warned Putin: “If you go into Ukraine, I’m going to bomb the s*** out of Moscow.” The audio was aired by CNN on Tuesday.
“I’m telling you I have no choice,” Trump is heard saying in the recording, describing Putin’s alleged response: “I don’t believe you, no way.” Trump then claims he replied simply: “Way.”
Threats Extended to China
The recordings also reveal Trump claiming he issued similar warnings to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding Taiwan. “If you go into Taiwan I’m going to bomb the s*** out of Beijing,” Trump allegedly told Xi.
“He thought I was crazy,” Trump said of the Chinese leader’s reaction. “He said ‘Beijing? You can’t even bomb—’ I said ‘I have no choice.'” Trump claimed Xi “believed me 10 percent” and added, “And then we never had a problem.”
The White House declined to comment on the recordings when contacted by multiple news outlets. The Trump campaign also refused to address the content of the tapes.
Russia Responds With Record Attack
Hours after Trump’s harsh criticism of Putin during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Russia launched what Ukrainian officials described as the largest aerial assault since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The overnight attack into Wednesday involved 741 aerial targets — a staggering escalation in the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the assault included 728 drones of various types, including over 300 Iranian-designed Shaheds, and 13 missiles comprising six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and seven Iskander cruise missiles.
It was the highest number of aerial targets in a single day,” Zelensky posted on social media, describing the attack as “demonstrative” in nature.
The western city of Lutsk bore the brunt of the assault, with Mayor Ihor Polishchuk calling it “the most massive shelling of the city since the beginning of the full-scale war.” Regional officials reported five missiles and 50 drones targeted the city, causing fires at industrial facilities and a garage cooperative.
NATO Forces Scramble
The scale of the attack prompted an emergency response from NATO forces. Poland’s Armed Forces Operational Command confirmed that “Polish and allied aviation” began operating in Polish airspace as a defensive measure during the Russian strikes.
Ukrainian air defense forces reported intercepting 718 of the 741 aerial targets, with 296 drones shot down by firepower and 415 jammed by electronic warfare systems. All seven cruise missiles were reportedly intercepted, but the six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles — capable of traveling at speeds up to Mach 10 — penetrated Ukraine’s defenses.
The Kinzhal, or “Dagger,” missiles represent one of Russia’s most advanced weapons, capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads and designed to evade missile defense systems through unpredictable flight patterns.
Trump’s Evolving Stance
The release of the audio recordings comes at a critical juncture in Trump’s approach to the Ukraine conflict. During Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, before the recordings surfaced, Trump had already adopted his harshest tone yet toward Putin.
“We get a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump told reporters. He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.
The president revealed he is “looking very strongly” at a bipartisan Senate bill that would impose sweeping new sanctions on Russia, including 500% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy products.
Questions About Timing
Russian officials appeared to respond to the audio release with relative calm. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia “cannot confirm the authenticity of the recording” and noted Trump “is known for using harsh phrases.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior security official, posted on Telegram that the recordings appeared to be part of “a full-fledged information and political war against Trump.
Weapons Shipments Resume
Amid the escalating tensions, Trump announced Tuesday he had approved sending “defensive weapons” to Ukraine, reversing a brief pause in shipments. When pressed about who ordered the initial pause, Trump responded sarcastically: “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”
The Wall Street Journal reported the administration is considering sending an additional Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, crucial for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
Peace Efforts Stalled
The massive Russian attack underscores the failure of diplomatic efforts to secure even a temporary ceasefire. During a phone call last Thursday, Putin rejected Trump’s request for a 30-day halt to hostilities, with Kremlin officials stating Russia “will not back down” from its objectives.
Ukrainian officials characterized Russia’s record assault as a direct response to international peace efforts. “The timing matters,” noted one analyst. This bombardment came as multiple countries pushed for ceasefires and peace talks. Russia’s response? Its biggest terror campaign yet.”
Congressional Pressure Mounts
The audio revelations and Russia’s escalating attacks have intensified pressure from Congress for tougher action. Senator Lindsey Graham, who recently visited Kyiv, said Russia was “mocking peace efforts” and called for immediate implementation of new sanctions.
More than 80 senators have co-sponsored legislation granting the president authority to impose additional sanctions on Russia and punishing tariffs on countries supporting Moscow’s war effort.
As Trump faces questions about the authenticity and context of his recorded threats, the Ukraine conflict has entered a dangerous new phase, with Russia demonstrating both its willingness to escalate militarily and its arsenal of advanced weapons capable of overwhelming Ukrainian defenses.
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