### Trump Allegedly Maintained Secret Contact with Putin Post-Presidency, Woodward Book Reveals

In a revealing new book titled "War" by journalist Bob Woodward, it is claimed that former President Donald J. Trump had secret communications with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin multiple times after leaving the presidency. These covert interactions reportedly occurred while Trump was actively advocating against providing military support to Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russian forces.

The book describes a specific instance in early 2024 at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Florida estate, where Trump dismissed an aide to privately converse with Putin. The same aide alleged that this was just one of potentially seven calls made between the two leaders since Trump exited the White House.

Moreover, Woodward's account unveils a striking episode from 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, Trump, still in office, secretly dispatched rare COVID-19 tests to Putin, who was notably anxious about contracting the virus. Putin requested that Trump keep this gesture confidential to avoid any potential political fallout for the U.S. president. "I don't want you to tell anybody because people will get mad at you, not me," Putin purportedly advised Trump.

These revelations come at a critical juncture, as Trump is eyeing a potential return to the presidency in the upcoming election. The book's contents are likely to spark further scrutiny of Trump's relationship with Putin and may influence the political landscape as the election approaches.

Bob Woodward, a veteran journalist with The Washington Post and frequent commentator on CNN, is known for his in-depth investigative work. His latest book is set to shed new light on the intricate dynamics and secretive exchanges between the former U.S. president and the current Russian leader.