CNN: Trump claimed he threatened to bomb Moscow, Beijing in private meetings

US President Donald Trump told donors during private fundraising events last year that he threatened to bomb Moscow and Beijing if Russian or Chinese leaders invaded Ukraine or Taiwan, according to audio recordings obtained by CNN.

In one recording from a 2024 fundraiser, Trump claimed he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of severe consequences if he launched an attack on Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports.

“With Putin I said, ‘If you go into Ukraine, I’m going to bomb the sh*t out of Moscow. I’m telling you I have no choice,’” Trump is heard saying. “And then [Putin] goes, like, ‘I don’t believe you.’ But he believed me 10%.”

Trump went on to say that he delivered a similar warning to Chinese President Xi Jinping amid concerns over Taiwan. 

"He thought I was crazy,” Trump said of Xi, before noting that “we never had a problem.”

The recordings, which have not been previously aired, were captured at closed-door fundraisers in New York and Florida and later obtained by journalists Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf. The reporters detailed the exchanges in their newly released book, 2024. The Trump campaign declined to comment on the content of the tapes.

The audio portrays a candid, unfiltered version of Trump as he sought support for a return to the White House, making bold claims about his foreign policy approach, plans for domestic crackdowns, and strategies for campaign fundraising.

Trump argued in the recordings that conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza would not have occurred under his leadership. He reiterated this claim recently, while also expressing frustration with Putin’s lack of progress in peace negotiations.

“I’m not happy with Putin,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. “I’m very unhappy with them.” He added that the Russian leader was throwing “a lot of bullsh*t” at the US.

In another fundraiser, Trump described how he would respond to student protesters, particularly those demonstrating in support of Palestine.

“One thing I’d do is any student that protests, I would throw them out of the country,” he said. “Those people made a big mistake. Throw them out of the country, and I think that will stop it.”

When one donor raised concerns that such protesters could one day lead the country, Trump called on his audience to help ensure his re-election.

“If you get me elected, we will set that movement back 25 to 30 years,” he said.

According to the tapes, Trump also discussed his campaign’s deportation plans, revealing that his administration had already moved to revoke the visas of protesting students, igniting legal battles with the judiciary over the scope of such actions.

He also criticised Democratic-leaning voter blocs, suggesting Republicans face an uphill battle in elections.

“The welfare people will always vote for Democrats,” he said. “The unions give big money, the civil service stuff gives big money, and they have the advantage of welfare.”

Addressing the Jewish members of his donor base, he added, “The one thing that I have to say to my Jewish friends: You’ve got to get them to start voting Republican.”

Trump spoke openly about pressuring wealthy donors to increase their contributions, describing one case where a donor raised their pledge from $1 million to $25 million.

“And he did it, he gave me $25 million,” Trump said. “It’s crazy.”

“You have to have the courage to ask,” he added. “You have to get them into the mindset.”

By Sabina Mammadli