In a series of closed-door fundraisers in 2024, former President Donald Trump shared controversial stories about how he tried to prevent wars using bold threats. According to audio recordings obtained, Trump told wealthy donors that he warned leaders of Russia and China with extreme military retaliation.
Trump Says He Warned Putin About Invading Ukraine
Speaking at a private event, Trump claimed he gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a clear warning. If Russia attacked Ukraine, Trump said he would respond by bombing Moscow.
“I told him I’d strike the capital if he moved in,” Trump said, adding that Putin didn’t fully believe him, but may have taken the threat somewhat seriously.
Trump Described Similar Threat to China Over Taiwan
Trump also shared an alleged conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said he threatened military action if China launched an invasion of Taiwan. According to Trump, Xi thought he was “crazy,” but no aggression took place during his time in office.
These stories were captured in fundraising events in New York and Florida. They were later reported in the political book 2024 by journalists Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf. The Trump campaign declined to comment on the content of the recordings.
Trump Criticized Biden and the Wars in Ukraine and Gaza
Trump used the fundraisers to argue that both the Ukraine war and the Gaza conflict would have been avoided if he were still president. At one meeting, he expressed frustration with Putin’s refusal to accept peace deals and called the situation “a bunch of nonsense.”
“I’m not happy with Putin,” he said. “Very disappointed.”
Trump Promised to Expel Student Protesters
In addition to foreign policy, Trump addressed domestic unrest. He told donors that if he returned to office, he would expel foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses.
“They made a big mistake,” Trump said. “Throw them out, and it’ll stop.”
When a donor raised concerns about protestors gaining political power, Trump asked for more financial backing. “If you help me win, we’ll set that movement back 25 to 30 years,” he claimed.
Massive Donations and Fundraising Tactics Revealed
Trump also bragged about his ability to secure large campaign contributions. At one event, he said a donor who initially offered $1 million ended up giving $25 million after a conversation with him.
“You just have to ask confidently,” Trump told the crowd. “Once they believe in the cause, they give more.”
Trump Criticized Democrats’ Support Base
Trump claimed that Democrats have an advantage due to backing from unions, government employees, and welfare recipients. He urged his Jewish supporters to help flip voters to the Republican side.
“They’ve got the system on their side,” he said. “We need to catch up.”
Legal Efforts Follow Fundraiser Promises
Since making these statements, Trump’s team has begun legal efforts to revoke student visas for protesters. These moves have already sparked legal challenges and media backlash.
The recordings from these events offer a rare glimpse into Trump’s private campaign strategy. They show how he mixes aggressive political promises with direct fundraising appeals to rebuild his path to the presidency.
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