While claiming that he’s not concerned about the ongoing impeachment inquiry testimonies so far, President Trump on Friday reiterated his argument that the now-infamous July call he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was “perfect” while also railing against the media for now focusing on a second call with the foreign leader.
“It’s a very simple thing. I had a very good call with the President of Ukraine. I assume that’s what you’re talking about. The call was perfect,” Trump said. “Now they’re after — I have a second call, which nobody knew about, and I guess they want that call to be produced also.”
Trump was referring to an April 21 call where he congratulated Zelensky on his victory in the Ukraine presidential election. Despite the lack of an official White House memo on the second call, Trump’s former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker had tweeted about the second call soon after it happened. Volker’s impeachment testimony claimed that Trump had directed him to work closely with Rudy Giuliani.
“So I had a connect call with the President, which actually came before this one, and now they all want that one. And if they want it, I’ll give it to them,” Trump said. “I haven’t seen it recently, but I’ll give it to them. But I had a call before this one with the President of Ukraine, I understand they would like it and I have no problem giving it to them.”
By all accounts, the earlier call with Zelensky was friendlier than the infamous July call, during which Trump pushed the Ukrainian leader to dig up dirt that would benefit his reelection prospects.
Watch Trump’s remarks below:
Trump: "I have a second call, which nobody knew about" pic.twitter.com/QEemZ0uT0K
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) November 8, 2019
Please proceed, I am sure it will be a doozie
Nothing Trump says can be trusted.
Not one word.
Having a earlier call where you don’t try to extort the president of Ukraine doesn’t really help you prove your innocence.
We don’t care about that call, release the real transcript of the July 25th call.
Your honor, I didn’t kill the guy the first time, therefore I’m innocent of the murder.