In a Truth Social post on Thursday, former President Donald Trump unleashed on President Joe Biden after he traded WNBA player Brittney Griner for Russian arms dealer, the “Merchant of Death.”
“What kind of a deal is it to swap Brittney Griner, a basketball player who openly hates our Country, for the man known as “The Merchant of Death,” who is one of the biggest arms dealers anywhere in the World, and responsible for tens of thousands of deaths and horrific injuries,” Trump wrote. “Why wasn’t former Marine Paul Whelan included in this totally one-sided transaction? He would have been let out for the asking. What a “stupid” and unpatriotic embarrassment for the USA!!!”
Shortly after the news was dropped that Griner was coming home, Whelan released a statement from Russian prison, stating that he is ‘disappointed’ how President Joe Biden chose to bring home WNBA player Brittney Griner over him.
BREAKING REPORT: Devastated Paul Whelan breaks his silence from Russian penal colony – 'I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I'M STILL SITTING HERE – My bags are packed'…
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) December 8, 2022
“I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four year anniversary of my arrest is coming up,” Whelan said to CNN in a phone call from the a Russian penal colony. He is currently serving a 16-year sentence.
“I was arrested for a crime that never occurred,” he said. “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”
“My bags are packed. I’m ready to go home. I just need an airplane to come and get me,” continued Whelan. “It’s quite obvious that I’m being held hostage.”
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Check out what the Daily Mail reported:
Griner, the WNBA star imprisoned on marijuana-related drug charges in Russia, will be returned to the US in exchange for infamous Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
The negotiations were reportedly mediated by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the United Arab Emirates’ President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, according to Arab News.
A senior administration official would not comment directly on MBS’s role but said the U.S. will ‘continue to lean on partners around the world’ to secure the release of unjustly detained Americans.
The swap happened at Abu Dhabi airport, where Griner and Bout had to walked past each other to reach their respective parties on the airport tarmac, Russian state media reports.
The US official said Griner was ‘all smiles’ on the tarmac as she approached the American delegation.
But Republican Rep. Mike Waltz, a former Green Beret, asked: ‘Where is U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who has been unjustly held by Russia for far longer? Celebrities over veterans?’
Republicans on Twitter were extremely disappointed by Biden’s failure to bring home Whelan. Check out some of the reactions below:
Meet Brittney Griner & Marine Paul Whelan.
Both Americans.
Both were convicted in Russian courts on dubious charges.
Both serving multi-year sentences in Russian prison.
Brittney hates America
Paul served AmericaGuess which one Biden traded a terrorist to free?
Semper fi Paul pic.twitter.com/tuP1R6AZpf
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 8, 2022
Biden gave up a Russian arms dealer in exchange for an anti-American WNBA player, while leaving US Marine Paul Whelan to rot in a Russian prison. This is an abomination. Our country is run by incompetent scumbags.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 8, 2022
U.S. Marine Paul Whelan should have been the Biden Regime’s higher priority, that’s a fact. But under no circumstances should an international arms dealer who targeted US citizens, the MERCHANT OF DEATH Viktor Bout, have been released. This is pure idiocy.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 8, 2022
Brittney Griner being released in exchange for a convicted arms dealer.
What about Retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan?
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores2022) December 8, 2022
We just traded “The Merchant of Death” Viktor Bout, a man who sold arms to warlords, for Brittney Griner, a WNBA player.
This may be the worst trade deal in history.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 8, 2022
When you’re voting on November 5th 2024, don’t forget that Biden left a Marine behind to save an athlete.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) December 8, 2022
Can you imagine the headlines if Trump traded one of the biggest terrorist in the world "TO RUSSIA" for a basketball player.
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) December 8, 2022
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