'He'll trade Alaska for him': Trump mocked over claim he'll free WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich from Russia if re-elected

WASHINGTON, DC: Former president Donald Trump has claimed he can persuade Russia to free jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich if he is re-elected, according to the New York Post. 

For the first time since the journalist's arrest in 2023, Trump asked Russia to free Gershkovich in an interview with Time magazine on Tuesday, April 30.

Trump vows to free Evan Gershkovich if re-elected

Trump said during the interview, "The reporter should be released and he will be released. I don’t know if he’s going to be released under Biden."

Nonetheless, according to Trump, Gershkovich, 32, is unlikely to be released before the 2024 presidential race. Trump vowed, "I would get him released."

On questioned why it took him more than a year to demand Gershkovich's release, Trump stated, "I guess because I have so many other things I’m working on."

Notably, when Gershkovich went to Yekaterinburg on a reporting assignment in late March 2023, the Federal Security Service (FSB) in Russia detained him on suspicion of breaking anti-espionage laws in the country.

The US national is accused of gathering state secrets on the military and 'acting on the instructions of the American side', Russian officials said.

The US government has ruled that Gershkovich has been 'wrongfully detained', with the Wall Street Journal and and the reporter denying the accusations.

The reporter's request to be released from pretrial detention was denied last week by a Moscow court, which decided that he must remain in custody in Russia until at least June 30.

Interestingly, the espionage accusations against Gershkovich have not been substantiated by any evidence presented by Russian authorities.

Internet takes jibes at Donald Trump for his statement

Several internet users trolled Donald Trump over his claim that he can persuade Russia to free jailed Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich.

A user posted on X, "He will sell the USA to Russia for him", while another added, "Yawn. Deportation. That's all I want to hear. Evan the spy can stay in Russia. Even better if he really was a journalist. Just as low as a spy."

A person stated, "Empty promises", while another mentioned, "He will trade Alaska for him."

A person wrote, "And not pay a billion dollars", while another said, "He vowed to show us his taxes too, didn't he? Oh, and also to drain the swamp? Oh, and also to lock her up."

A user mentioned, "In exchange for Ukraine? Vote MAGA OUT."

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.