Trump announces he'll release the full transcript of his call with Ukraine's president
President Trump says the transcript of his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to be released tomorrow amid growing Democratic calls for impeachment.
On Tuesday, Trump tweeted that he has "authorized the release tomorrow of the complete, fully declassified and unredacted transcript" of his phone conversation with Zelensky, on which The Wall Street Journal reports he pushed for Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden's son about eight times.
Trump has admitted he did bring up Biden's son on this call, but in his tweet, he insisted the call was "totally appropriate" and that there was "NO quid pro quo!" About a week before the call, Trump had ordered military aid to Ukraine be withheld, and Democrats have accused Trump of doing so in order to a secure an investigation that would damage his potential 2020 election opponent.
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.
Democrats had called for the release of the transcript of Trump's call, but they've also been looking to see the full complaint filed by a whistleblower about Trump's foreign communications. This complaint has been withheld from Congress, and Trump made no mention of its potential release Wednesday. The Washington Post's Phillip Bump notes that "reporting suggests that the call was only part of the pattern cited by the whistleblower" and so "releasing just this doesn't give a full picture."
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
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Magazine solutions - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Why ghost guns are so easy to make — and so dangerous
The Explainer Untraceable, DIY firearms are a growing public health and safety hazard
By David Faris Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published