Donald Trump Says He Rejected Russian Deal To Free Paul Whelan, Slams Griner Prisoner Swap

Former President Donald Trump said Sunday that he turned down a deal to exchange an imprisoned former U.S. Marine for a notorious Russian arms dealer, the same arms dealer involved in a swap President Joe Biden accepted last week.

What Happened: Trump said on Truth Social Sunday that, while in office, he rejected a one-for-one prisoner swap with Russia – Viktor Bout for Paul Whelan, a U.S. Marine sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage.

“I wouldn’t have made the deal for a hundred people in exchange for someone that has killed untold numbers of people with his arms deals,” Trump touted on his social media platform. “I would have gotten Paul out, however, just as I did with a record number of other hostages.”

President Biden formally announced last week the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from a Russian prison where she had been detained for the last ten months.

Griner was exchanged for Bout, a former KGB officer who was labeled the "Merchant of Death," and personal friend of Vladimir Putin.

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“I turned down [the] deal with Russia,” Trump said.

While Trump rejected the prisoner exchange while he was president, he criticized Biden, saying that Whelan should’ve been freed instead.

“The deal for Griner is crazy and bad. The taking wouldn’t have even happened during my Administration, but if it did, I would have gotten her out, fast!” the former president continued.

Meanwhile, Whelan’s brother David Whelan on Friday took to Twitter to slam the former president for his comments. The twin brother said that Trump has mentioned Paul’s detention "more in the last 24 hours than he did in the two years of his presidency." Adding that, “I don’t suggest he cares now any more than he did then (zero).”

Why It Matters: Whelan spoke to CNN last week from a Russian jail, saying he was happy for Griner and her freedom, but he was disappointed in the Biden administration for selecting Griner over him, considering the fact that he has been in Russian detention for nearly four years.

“I was arrested for a crime that never occurred,” Whelan said in a phone call from the penal colony where he is being held in a remote part of Russia. “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”

According to the Biden administration, Russia was hesitant to include Whelan in the agreement.

Whelan was detained at a Moscow hotel by Russian officials in December 2018, and was accused of being involved in an espionage operation. Whelan was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison in June 2020.

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Photo: Gage Skidmore from flickr.