****

Veteran journalist Bob Woodward's new book, obtained by CNN, claims Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has maintained frequent contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with as many as seven calls since Trump left office in 2021. Additionally, it alleges that Trump provided Putin with Covid-19 testing machines for private use during the pandemic. These assertions have drawn swift and vehement denial from the Trump camp, reigniting debates over the nature of Trump’s rapport with Putin.

Trump campaign aide Jason Miller countered Woodward's claims, expressing ignorance of such calls. Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung went a step further, not only denying the allegations but also launching a personal assault on Woodward. Cheung described Woodward as “demented and deranged,” suggesting his book belongs "in the bargain bin of the fiction section of a discount bookstore or used as toilet tissue."

Woodward's book provides a broader scope of political tension, delving into President Joe Biden's views on various international matters. It reveals Biden's criticism of former President Barack Obama’s approach during Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, suggesting it influenced the Kremlin’s decision to invade Ukraine in 2022. Biden reportedly confided to a friend, "They fucked up in 2014. That's why we are here. We fucked it up. Barack never took Putin seriously."

Woodward describes Biden using strong language to address the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling Putin "the epitome of evil" in conversations with advisors. Details depict Biden's frustration upon learning about the planned invasion, as he exclaimed: "This would be so crazy... Jesus Christ! Now I’ve got to deal with Russia swallowing Ukraine?"

Further insights from the book include Biden's terse exchanges with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Gaza conflict, during which Biden allegedly labeled Netanyahu as having "no strategy" and referred to him as a "bad fucking guy." Additionally, Biden admitted regrets over his choice of Attorney General Merrick Garland and frequently used strong language in private, including calling Trump "that fucking asshole."

The revelations in Woodward's book are bound to stir political debates, particularly highlighting the contentious interactions and perspectives of current and former leaders on pressing global issues.