CNN shares recording of Trump allegedly revealing classified information to guests; Trump accuses special counsel of leaking.
CNN Releases Recording of Trump Discussing “Secret Information”
CNN has recently shared an intriguing recording that federal prosecutors included in their indictment of former President Donald Trump. This recording captures a conversation between Trump, a writer, and a publisher, where he seemingly reveals classified information.
In the audio, which CNN obtained after previously reporting on a transcript, Trump can be heard discussing this “secret information” during an interview that he knew was being recorded. He explicitly mentions that he did not declassify it while serving as president.
During the conversation, Trump shuffles through papers and points to what he claims is a plan of attack on Iran, allegedly given to him by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley. He emphasizes the confidential nature of the information, stating, “This is secret information.”
Trump further explains that the military provided him with this material and that, as president, he had the authority to declassify it. However, he acknowledges that he no longer possesses that power, yet still considers the information to be classified.
Watch the Recording:
The Trump audio:
“See as president I could have declassified it. Now I can’t, you know, but this is still a secret.”
“Now we have a problem,” a staffer responds. pic.twitter.com/ftNqOTnfZn
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 27, 2023
Trump has responded to the release of the tape by accusing Special Counsel Jack Smith of leaking it. However, he has not denied the authenticity of the recording.
On social media, Trump expressed his frustration, stating, “The Deranged Special Prosecutor, Jack Smith, working in conjunction with the DOJ & FBI, illegally leaked and ‘spun’ a tape and transcript of me which is actually an exoneration, rather than what they would have you believe. This continuing Witch Hunt is another ELECTION INTERFERENCE Scam. They are cheaters and thugs!”
When questioned about the recording during an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Trump denied showing classified documents to individuals without security clearances, despite his statements on the recording.
Baier confronted Trump with a direct quote from the recording, where he refers to the document as “secret” and mentions his ability to declassify it while he was president. The indictment also cites testimony from people present in the room who claim that Trump showed them the document that day.
Trump refuted these claims, asserting that it was “just the opposite.” He insisted that he couldn’t declassify the information at the time because he was no longer president.
When Baier pressed further, reminding Trump that he was recorded saying those things, Trump responded, “No, no. Bret, there was no document.”
BAIER: “According to the indictment, […] you were recorded saying that had a document detailing a plan of attack on another county […] the Iran attack plan. Do you remember that?”
TRUMP: “Ready? It wasn’t a document. I had lots of paper. I had copies of newspaper articles.” pic.twitter.com/QJMzyxBrYq
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 19, 2023
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