Video

U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out with harsh words when reporters asked whether he had delayed sanctions against Russia in exchange for the release of an American detained in Russia.

Local time on the 21st, as he was departing the White House for a campaign rally in South Carolina, President Trump engaged in a war of words with CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins.

Collins asked why the administration had delayed Russia sanctions strongly pushed by the late former Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away last July.

President Trump argued that negotiations were underway for the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American imprisoned in Russia, and claimed that imposing sanctions at that time would have derailed the talks.

When Collins repeatedly pressed further, asking, "So did you offer something to Russia in exchange for Hubbard's release?", President Trump expressed his displeasure, calling her "you know nothing" and "fake news CNN."

President Trump stated, "We were able to bring Hubbard back because we negotiated very well and very quickly with President Putin," adding, "If we had imposed sanctions, he would have been stuck in prison for another 25 years."

He also asserted that negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine were nearing an agreement, emphasizing, "When you are conducting very sensitive negotiations, you don't impose sanctions."

However, when Collins asked again, "Are you saying you lifted sanctions in exchange for his release?", President Trump continued with personal attacks, calling her "a dummy" and "a person with a low IQ."

He then lashed out at an ABC News reporter who asked a similar question, calling him "are you a stupid person?" and criticizing, "Your network is the worst."

At the center of the controversy, Stephen Hubbard is an American who was detained by Russia in 2022 on charges of serving as a mercenary in Ukraine and was held for over four years. He was sentenced to about seven years in prison by a Russian court in 2024, and the U.S. government designated him as wrongfully detained.

President Trump stated that he directly asked President Putin for Hubbard's release on the 20th, the day before the release.

Announcing Hubbard's release on the 21st, he emphasized, "President Putin agreed," and "We gave nothing in return."

However, the Trump administration recently agreed to supply Russian diesel, easing some related sanctions, and has also delayed additional sanctions against Russia under the law promoted by former Senator Lindsey Graham.

President Trump explained these measures were intended to help with Hubbard's release negotiations and the Ukraine peace talks, but reporters raised questions over whether delaying sanctions itself amounted to a concession to Russia.

Amidst this, remarks by U.S. Special Envoy to Russia Steve Witkoff, who conducted negotiations in Russia, also sparked controversy.

Special Envoy Witkoff expressed gratitude to President Putin for Hubbard's release, saying, "Thanks to you, he is able to return to the arms of his family."

He then paid tribute to President Putin, calling him "also a humanitarian person."

When asked whether he agreed with Special Envoy Witkoff's remarks, President Trump replied, "As far as that specific thing is concerned, you could say that," but added, "I don't want to make a definitive statement on either side."

Vice President JD Vance also defended Special Envoy Witkoff, stating that he was carrying out his duties as a diplomat and saying, "Instead of complaining about what he said, we should celebrate the return of an American hostage."

During his war of words with reporters, President Trump also expressed gratitude toward Russia and China.

Claiming that the U.S. had devastated Iran, he stated that Russia and China could have provided much stronger support to Iran but in reality barely intervened.

President Trump said, "Russia and China did not play a big role in this matter," and "We appreciate that."

While President Trump sought to tout the release of the American as a diplomatic achievement ahead of the November midterm elections, controversies surrounding the delay of Russia sanctions and friendly remarks toward President Putin are also growing.

(Reported by JIN Sang-myeong | Video by Hong Jin-young | Produced by SBS Digital News)