Donald Trump Criticizes Joe Biden's Russia Hostage Swap, Claims ‘Negotiators’ Are An ‘Embarrassment’ To The Country
While people are raving for President Joe Biden after what some call the largest prisoner swap since the cold war — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump wasn't impressed, but Biden clapped back.
The POTUS credited the prisoner swap — which freed American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan among the 24 detainees released — to a "feat of diplomacy and friendship."
"Their brutal ordeal is over, and they are free," Biden said, per 'Politico.' However, Trump is demanding more details. "So when are they going to release the details of the prisoner swap with Russia?" he began, penning a lengthy response via TruthSocial.
"How many people do we get versus them? Are we also paying them cash? Are they giving us cash (Please withdraw that question, because I'm sure the answer is NO)? Are we releasing murderers, killers, or thugs? Just curious because we never make good deals, at anything, but especially hostage swaps," the 78-year-old continued.
"Our 'negotiators' are always an embarrassment to us! I got back many hostages, and gave the opposing Country NOTHING — and never any cash," he wrote. "To do so is bad precedent for the future. That's the way it should be, or this situation will get worse and worse."
He concluded: "They are extorting the United States of America. They're calling the trade "complex" — That's so nobody can figure out how bad it is!"
RELATED: Billy Mays Honored With OxiClean At His Gravestone 15 Years After His Death
According to the 'Wall Street Journal,' Jake Sullivan of the White House National Security team reported that no money had been exchanged and no sanctions loosened to facilitate the deal.
"Earlier today, they were flown to Turkey. And soon, they'll be wheels up on their way home to see their families," Biden, 81, stated. "This is an incredible relief for all the family members gathered here. And it's a relief to the friends and colleagues all across the country who've been praying for this day for a long time."
As select family members of the now-freed detainees stood behind Biden, he claimed Russia enacted "show trials" which resulted in long prison terms "with absolutely no legitimate reason whatsoever."
In a viral clip, 'CNN' news anchor Dana Bash called Biden's reply a "mic drop" moment when a reporter asked for his response to Trump's claims that he could have gotten the hostages out "without giving anything in exchange."
Reporter: "President Trump has said repeatedly that he could have gotten the hostages out without giving anything in exchange. What do you say to that?" @POTUS: "Why didn't he do it when he was president?"@DanaBashCNN: "I think that was what they call a 'mic drop' moment." pic.twitter.com/MIUKa5LpBa
— Andrew Bates (@AndrewJBates46) August 1, 2024
Biden asked — before walking off stage: "Why didn't he do it when he was president?"
