President Joe Biden shot back at Donald Trump’s suggestion that he could have released American hostages being held in Russia without giving anything up, when asked by a reporter about the former president’s claim.
Biden spoke at the White House on Thursday afternoon following one of the largest prisoner swaps since the Cold War. Seven countries, including Russia and the United States, were involved in the deal to free 26 people, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.
Trump had claimed Russia would release Gershkovich if he wins the 2024 election, and previously slammed the U.S. releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout to bring home wrongly detained WNBA star Britney Griner in 2022. Trump said he previously rejected a deal to bring Whelan home, balking at the prospect of giving up Bout in exchange.
“President Trump has said repeatedly that he could have gotten the hostages out without giving anything in exchange. What do you say to that? What do you say to President Trump now?” a reporter asked at the White House event, which prompted a smile from the president.
“Why didn't he do it when he was president?” Biden replied.
