Former President Donald Trump had shown little interest in the plight of an American journalist currently being held by the Russian government on dubious charges of espionage. But at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, the Republican candidate picked up his phone and asserted that the Kremlin would only release Evan Gershkovich if he wins the 2024 election.
"Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will do that for me, but not for anyone else," Trump posted on his website, Truth Social. The Russian dictator would agree to do in exchange so for "nothing," he said, adding that the release would come "after the Election, but definitely before I assume Office."
