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Donald Trump is facing widespread backlash after he called on Vladimir Putin to release information on Hunter Biden's alleged business dealings, as Russia rains down bullets and shells on neighbouring Ukraine.
The former US President has pushed unsubstantiated claims about current Commander in Chief Joe Biden's son and his dealings in Russia during an appearance on Real America's Voice show Just the News.
"Why did the mayor of Moscow's wife give the Bidens—both of them—three and half million dollars? That's a lot of money," Trump said.
"So now I would think Putin would know the answer to that. I think he should release it. I think we should know that answer.
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"You won't get the answer from Ukraine, but why are they giving somebody who knows nothing about energy $187,000 a month, plus a $3 million upfront payment.
"And I won't talk about China because they've not went into Taiwan yet. That'll be next."
Trump's accusation that Hunter Biden's company received $3.5 million from Elena Baturina had been trumpeted repeatedly during the 2020 election campaign.
Baturina is the widow of the former mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov.
One political expert told Newsweek that by appealing for Putin to give out information in the middle of a war with Ukraine, Trump is merely doing 'what Trump does best'.
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The expert added Trump is 'trolling the media, cozying up to authoritarians', and timing his comments for 'maximum shock value'.
Claims against the Bidens have previously landed Trump in serious trouble, earning him his first impeachment in 2019, after a formal House inquiry alleged he'd abused his power by trying to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into digging up information about Biden's son.
Hunter Biden previously served on the board of Ukrainian energy firm Burisma, which initially prompted Trump to accuse Biden of shaping foreign policy in Ukraine during his time as Vice President under Barack Obama.
While it may be true that Joe Biden's son was paid for consulting work in Ukraine and China, the extent of Trump's claims have never been proven.
The US Justice Department is still carrying out an investigation into these alleged dealings.
This isn't the first time Trump has called on Russia to dig up dirt on his opponents.
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During a press conference in 2016, Trump said: "Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing [regarding Hillary Clinton]. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press. Let’s see if that happens."
The former US president has also previously described Putin as 'very savvy' and a 'genius' for recognising the so-called people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk prior to the invasion.
He has since said he believes the Russian President made a 'big mistake' in attacking Ukraine.
Topics: Donald Trump, Russia, Ukraine, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin
Rachel Lang