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Vladimir Putin Just Killed a Key Donald Trump Talking Point
Social media commentators have noted that the release of reporter Evan Gershkovich from Russian captivity came despite Donald Trump having previously said President Vladimir Putin would free him "for me, but not for anyone else."
On Thursday, Gershkovich was released as part of a 24-person prisoner swap involving prisoners held by Russia, Belarus, the United States and a number of other Western countries. In total, 16 people were freed by Moscow, a mixture of foreign nationals and domestic political prisoners, while eight were released by Western nations, including convicted spies and Vadim Krasikov, who was found guilty of murdering an exiled dissident in Berlin.
On May 23, in a post on his Truth Social website, Trump suggested Putin would release Gershkovich after the 2024 presidential election as a personal favor to him. The Republican presidential nominee wrote: "Evan Gershkovich, the Reporter from the Wall Street Journal, who is being held by Russia, will be released almost immediately after the Election, but definitely before I assume Office.
"He will be HOME, SAFE, AND WITH HIS FAMILY. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will do that for me, but not for anyone else, and we WILL BE PAYING NOTHING!"
