Ladies and gentlemen, let’s dive into the latest drama on the international stage, where President Joe Biden’s relationship with Russia continues to be a rollercoaster ride.
With billions of dollars funneled into Ukraine's war effort against Russia, Biden’s foreign policy decisions have been nothing short of controversial, to say the least. And now, the spotlight is on a recent development that has everyone talking.
This past Thursday, Biden took to the podium at the White House to announce what he likely hoped would be seen as a diplomatic triumph: the release of three Americans from Russian captivity. Among them were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. This wasn’t just a simple exchange—it was a complex, 24-person prisoner swap involving not only the U.S. and Russia but also three other countries.
Reporter: "President Trump has said repeatedly that he could have gotten the hostages out without giving anything in exchange. What do you say to that?" @POTUS: "Why didn't he do it when he was president?"@DanaBashCNN: "I think that was what they call a 'mic drop' moment." pic.twitter.com/MIUKa5LpBa
— Andrew Bates (@AndrewJBates46) August 1, 2024
Sounds like a win, right? But not everyone is convinced. After his announcement, Biden faced a pointed question from a reporter about former President Donald Trump’s claim that he could have secured the release of these Americans without having to give anything in return. Biden’s response? A smirk and a quick jab: “Why didn’t he do it when he was president?”
It’s the kind of comeback that might make headlines, but there’s a glaring issue. Out of the three Americans in question, only Paul Whelan was detained during Trump’s presidency. Gershkovich and Kurmasheva were arrested after Trump left office—Gershkovich in 2022 and Kurmasheva in 2023. So, while Biden’s quip may have felt like a “mic drop moment,” as CNN’s Dana Bash described it, the facts don’t entirely back him up.
This moment is likely to spark more debate about Biden’s handling of foreign affairs, particularly with Russia. His track record hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. Many still recall the highly criticized prisoner swap back in December 2022, where the Biden administration traded WNBA player Brittany Griner, detained on a drug charge, for notorious Russian arms dealer Victor Bout. Critics labeled the swap as lopsided, questioning the president’s negotiation tactics.
Q: Trump has repeatedly said he could have gotten the hostages out without giving anything in exchange. What do you say to that?
President Biden: Why didn't he do it when he was president? pic.twitter.com/FSJjnxMwc4
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 1, 2024
And let’s not forget the broader context of Biden’s foreign policy. Since taking office, Biden has poured billions into Ukraine's war effort against Russia, positioning himself as a leader tough on President Vladimir Putin.
He’s implied that his predecessor, Trump, would have been far more lenient toward Putin. But here’s the twist: it wasn’t during Trump’s term that Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine. That happened on Biden’s watch.
Beyond Europe, Biden’s foreign policy record is fraught with issues. His administration’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 was a particularly low point, drawing widespread criticism for its chaotic execution and the humanitarian crisis that followed.