Trump trolled as he vows to bring Evan Gershkovich back while a former Russian detainee claims otherwise

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Former President Donald Trump suggested that he could effectively use his presidential powers to liberate the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich from Russian captivity. However, this was met with skepticism.

Trevor Reed, a former member of the US Marine Corps who was unlawfully arrested in Russia for allegedly attacking law enforcement officers, posted on X, "As a former wrongful detainee in Russia, I would just like to remind everyone that President Trump had the ability to get myself and Paul Whelan out of Russia for years and chose not to.”

"I would be skeptical of any claims about getting Evan Gershkovich back in a day," the veteran claimed.

Trevor Reed was released in a swap with Russian national Konstantin Yaroshenko in 2022 during President Joe Biden's term, following his detention in Russia since 2019, per RawStory.

Here's what Donald Trump said about Evan Gershkovich’s potential release

The 2024 presumptive GOP nominee claimed that he could personally ensure the return of Evan Gershkovich to the United States with minimal effort, but only if he is elected into office come November.

The 77-year-old took to his proprietary social networking platform, Truth Social, and wrote, “Evan Gershkovich, the Reporter from The Wall Street Journal, who is being held by Russia, will be released almost immediately after the Election, but definitely before I assume Office.”

“He will be HOME, SAFE, AND WITH HIS FAMILY. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will do that for me, but not for anyone else, and WE WILL BE PAYING NOTHING!” Trump remarked.

The Kremlin has issued a response to former President Trump's assertion, claiming there is no apparent coordination with President Vladimir Putin or Russia.

According to a report by Reuters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "Here, Putin has naturally not had contacts with Donald Trump.”

Robert O'Brien, former national security adviser under the Trump administration, appeared in an interview on CNN's ‘The Source’ and criticized the Biden administration's stance against Russia.

"The Biden administration is basically sending hashtags saying #FreeEvan," O’Brien remarked. "Well, Putin's a tough guy, he's a thug, and he's not going to respond to the Twitter hashtag or Twitter campaign — he's gonna respond to real hard American hard power... I think President Trump understands that."

"That's how we got so many people out of Russia. We got people out Iran, we got people out of Turkey, we've got people out of Yemen and across Venezuela under the Trump administration when I was supposed hostage envoy, and national security adviser, because President Trump was willing to use all the tools of American power, including hard power, to get our people home," he asserted.

On the first anniversary of the unjust detention of the reporter, President Joe Biden expressed his unwavering commitment to achieving the safe return of reporter Evan Gershkovich, stating that he "would never give up" on this mission.

Internet lambasts Donald Trump's tall claims

People online scoffed Donald Trump for assuring Evan Gershkovich's release if he wins in November.

One X user remarked, "Sadly, it is never about Trevor, Paul, Evan or anyone else. It is only about Don and Vlad. Me, me, me. To the extreme. It is called narcissism."

Another user argued, "If he cared and Putin would do it for him why’s Trump waiting? Why’s he not working on it now."

Another user claimed, "Trump has no interest in any wrongfully detained persons anywhere. Trump is only interested in Trump and advancing his own agenda. And most of his agenda involves the rest of the world’s population bending a knee to him. I wouldn’t depend on him for a drop of water in a storm."

One user said, "Trump would probably just tell Putin that he is free to invade the Baltic nations and the Swedish island of Gotland and consider it a fair trade."

Another X user quipped, "It’s pretty much like his infrastructure plan. Just two weeks away. Forever, two weeks away."

Another user wrote, "Why would anyone would believe a word he says is beyond me, especially in the self-serving campaign promise Hasn’t everyone heard and seen enough from Trump?"

Finally, this user tweeted, "It would be nice if true, but Trump lies for his audience and their continual ability to forget his promises. Trump has to boast loudly to counter his actual weakness of conviction and lack of intelligence."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.