Former President Donald Trump blamed the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the "rigged" 2020 presidential election.
He pointed to the election as a possible trigger for the Russian invasion of Ukraine throughout an interview with Piers Morgan that aired on Monday. He argued that the invasion wouldn't have occurred underneath his presidency.
"It is a disgrace all these persons are useless, all due to a rigged election," he mentioned. "As a result of if our election wasn't rigged, you'll've had no person useless."
Trump and his allies have lengthy claimed that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him by way of widespread voter fraud—although no proof has been offered to again up the declare.
Through the interview, he blasted the Biden administration's response to the invasion, saying that he could be responding "very strongly" if he had been nonetheless president.
He mentioned that when he informed Russian Vladimir Putin what the U.S. would do if he invaded Ukraine, "his response was 'actually.'" If Putin believed Trump "even 5 p.c," he wouldn't have invaded, Trump insisted.
Nonetheless, when pressed on what he informed Putin his response would have been, Trump mentioned he "shouldn't be going to say that," solely describing it as "a really robust response."
He declined to say whether or not or not he threatened to make use of nuclear weapons, however later within the interview saying he "threatened him like he has by no means been threatened earlier than." He additionally criticized President Joe Biden for "kowtowing" to Putin on the problem of nuclear weapons.
"I'd say, 'We've excess of we do. Much more highly effective than you do, and you can't use that phrase ever once more. You can not use the nuclear phrase ever once more,'" he mentioned. "And for those who do, we will have issues."
He additionally continued to criticize Russia's invasion, describing it as a "horrible waste" and a "disgrace," saying Putin ought to "make a deal, and make it quick" with Ukraine to finish the battle. He has lengthy joined U.S. leaders in his criticism of the battle.
Trump shouldn't be the primary Republican to recommend that the battle would not have occurred underneath his administration. The truth is, Trump himself claimed in January—months earlier than the invasion started—that the tensions wouldn't have been exacerbated underneath his presidency. However that declare has confronted doubt from some consultants.
The interview has obtained consideration after Trump accused Morgan of posting an unfair promotional clip that appeared to indicate Trump strolling out of the interview—which has been teased for the second half on Tuesday.
Up to date 04/25/2022, at 6:00 p.m. ET: This story has been up to date with further info and background.
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