Former US President Donald Trump was eager to build a relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin despite warnings from his advisers and Russia’s interference in US democracy, according to new claims made by HR McMaster, Trump’s second national security adviser. These revelations come from McMaster’s upcoming memoir, with an excerpt published in the Wall Street Journal on Saturday.
McMaster, a former lieutenant-general, served as Trump’s national security adviser from February 2017 until his dismissal in 2018. He reveals that discussions with Trump about Russia were difficult from the outset, as the former president consistently linked any conversations about Russia to the ongoing federal investigation into Moscow’s interference in the 2016 election and its potential ties to his campaign.
In his memoir, McMaster highlights how Putin, a former KGB agent, skillfully manipulated Trump’s ego and insecurities through flattery, playing on Trump’s affinity for authoritarian leaders. McMaster suggests that Trump believed he alone could establish a positive relationship with Putin, leading to multiple instances of friction between the two over Russia policy.
One significant clash occurred in March 2018 after Putin was elected to a fourth term as Russia’s president. Despite McMaster’s warnings about the rigged nature of the election, Trump insisted on congratulating Putin over the phone and even suggested inviting him to the White House. McMaster had cautioned Trump about the risks of legitimizing an illegitimate election, particularly as Russia sought to undermine confidence in US democracy. However, Trump proceeded with the call, further straining the relationship between him and McMaster.
McMaster believes his opposition to Trump’s approach to Russia led to his dismissal, and he was replaced by John Bolton just days after the congratulatory call. While Trump cycled through four national security advisers during his presidency, his successor, Joe Biden, has had one since taking office in 2021.
These revelations come as Trump contemplates a potential return to the White House, and as US officials continue to warn of foreign interference in upcoming elections.
