New recording shows Trump discussing ‘secret’ documents he did not declassify: report
A newly released audio recording obtained by CNN includes former President Trump discussing holding onto classified documents in a 2021 meeting in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The recording, which first aired on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” offers new insights into a conversation that is a piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment against Trump over mishandling classified documents and attempting to keep them from the government. According to the indictment, the conversation took place during an interview with a writer and publisher for a book at his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey on July 21, 2021.
The two-minute recording suggests that Trump was holding pieces of classified information about the Pentagon’s plans to attack Iran. The recording starts off with Trump saying, “these are bad sick people,” while his staffer pointed to Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“Like when Milley is talking about, ‘Oh you’re going to try to do a coup.’ No, they were trying to do that before you even were sworn in,” the staffer said on the recording.
Trump’s response was largely included in the indictment, but the audio also included Trump and his aides poking fun about the emails of Hillary Clinton. According to the indictment, the conversation included the writer, a publisher and two members of Trump’s staff.
“He said that I wanted to attack Iran, Isn’t it amazing? I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look. This was him. They presented me this – this is off the record but – they presented me this. This was him. This was the Defense Department and him,” Trump said on the recording, as the sound of papers shuffling could be heard in the background.
After Trump pointed out that the document was “highly confidential” and had “secret information,” one of his aides said, “Hillary would print that out all the time, you know. Her private emails.” The former president then said, “No, she’d send it to Anthony Weiner,” who is a former Democratic member of Congress representing New York.
“I was just thinking, because we were talking about it. And you know, he said, ‘He wanted to attack Iran, and what…” Trump could be heard saying before adding, “These are the papers.”
Other lines from the conversation, including Trump being heard saying that the document was still classified, but “as president I could have declassified it” were included in the indictment. In an additional part of the recording, Trump could also be heard saying “it’s incredible” before asking someone to “bring some Cokes in please.”
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JUST IN: Newly released audio recording obtained by CNN suggest that Trump was holding pieces of classified information about the Pentagon’s plans to attack Iran.
https://t.co/AYwVpRUN48— The Hill (@thehill) June 27, 2023
LOOK AT THIS CLASSIFIED THING RIGHT HERE THAT IS TOTALLY CLASSIFIED THAT I AM SHOWING YOU RIGHT HERE https://t.co/PHGYUOCBlk
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) June 27, 2023
Honestly, if Trump is acquitted or gets a hung jury – as probably will happen in Florida – it's gonna be the national security version of the OJ verdict
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) June 27, 2023Have you met Trump supporters https://t.co/aJGPnUK9Cb
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) June 27, 2023
"Tom, how can you say that Trump might get a hung jury, or even acquitted? I mean, the evid…." https://t.co/pIU8chCmHR
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) June 27, 2023
He will not get an acquittal. If the jury hangs, he’ll just get tried again.
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) June 27, 2023
Former President Trump claimed without providing details that a newly released audio recording of him discussing a “highly confidential” document “actually an exoneration.” https://t.co/1Jk5aaFBsT
— The Hill (@thehill) June 27, 2023
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