Trump to Australian prime minister: ‘Putin was a pleasant call, this is ridiculous’
President Trump told Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier this year that he had a better call with Russian President Vladimir Putin before ending a contentious phone call.
Trump argued with Turnbull over an agreement on refugees he thought was unfair during their first conversation following his inauguration.
“I have had it,” Trump told his Australian counterpart during the Jan. 28 call, according to a transcript obtained by The Washington Post and published on Thursday. “I have been making these calls all day, and this is the most unpleasant call all day.”
{mosads}Trump also told Turnbull that his conversation with the Russian leader was far more enjoyable.
“Putin was a pleasant call,” Trump said. “This is ridiculous.”
The combative nature of Trump and Turnbull’s conversation was previously known, but the Post’s report shed new light on the details of the talks.
Australia is one of the United States’ closest allies and intelligence-sharing partners, while Russia is a major American adversary. But Trump has long sought to build warmer ties with Moscow and Putin.
The disclosure is likely to raise alarms at the White House, which has struggled to contain leaks of classified and sensitive information. Trump’s calls with foreign leaders have not been declassified.
The White House said in February, days after the call, it would probe how the details of the call became public.
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