Trump's latest explanation for why he withheld U.S. aid to Ukraine earns 4 Pinocchios

Trump at the U.N.
(Image credit: Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images)

President Trump offered a third explanation on Tuesday for why he ordered his acting chief of staff to withhold nearly $400 million in military and other aid to Ukraine in July, just days before he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and, by his own admission, asked him to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a top Democratic challenger in 2020.

In the months between that decision and the release of the funds on Sept. 11, the White House instructed officials "to tell lawmakers that the delays were part of an 'interagency process' but to give them no additional information," The Washington Post reports. On Monday, Trump told reporters he withheld the money because of concerns about "corruption" in Ukraine, specifically mentioning Biden and his son, Hunter. On Tuesday, Trump gave this explanation:

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Peter Weber, The Week US

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.