Trump reportedly shared US nuclear submarine secrets with loose-lipped Australian billionaire
Special counsel Jack Smith is aware of Trump's alleged disclosure to a foreigner who belonged to the Mar-a-Lago club
A few months after he left office, former President Donald Trump shared at least two sensitive, critical pieces of information about U.S. nuclear submarines with an Australian billionaire and Mar-a-Lago member, ABC News reported Thursday night, citing people familiar with the matter. The billionaire, cardboard magnate Anthony Pratt, then reportedly "described Trump's remarks to at least 45 others, including six journalists, 11 of his company's employees, 10 Australian officials and three former Australian prime ministers."
Trump's disclosures about the nautical leg of America's nuclear triad — the number of nuclear warheads the submarines routinely carry and exactly how close they can get to Russian subs without being detected — "potentially endangered the U.S. nuclear fleet," The New York Times reported, citing two sources who confirmed ABC News' scoop.
FBI agents and prosecutors working for special counsel Jack Smith's office interviewed Pratt at least twice this year, ABC News and the Times reported, though he is not mentioned in Smith's indictment of Trump for his retention and alleged mishandling of classified national security secrets.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Pratt is, however, "among more than 80 people whom prosecutors have identified as possible witnesses" to testify against Trump at his federal trial, the Times reported. Pratt's testimony that "Trump discussed some of the country's most sensitive nuclear secrets with him in a cavalier fashion could help prosecutors establish that the former president had a long habit of recklessly handling classified information."
A former Mar-a-Lago employee also told investigators he overheard Pratt relaying Trump's nuclear sub comments to someone else just minutes later, and was "bothered" and "shocked" Trump had shared such apparently sensitive information with a non-U.S. citizen, ABC News reported.
A Trump spokesperson said the "leaks" shared with ABC News lack "proper context and relevant information," adding that Trump "did nothing wrong" and "acted in a proper manner, according to the law."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
When will mortgage rates finally start coming down?
The Explainer Much to potential homebuyers' chagrin, mortgage rates are still elevated
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Women are getting their own baseball league again
In the Spotlight The league is on track to debut in 2026
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Giant TVs are becoming the next big retail commodity
Under the Radar Some manufacturers are introducing TVs over 8 feet long
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published