The release of Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Evan Gershkovich on Thursday, part of a massive and multinational prisoner swap, has drawn attention to a recent statement from former President Donald Trump about his ability to quickly secure his return should he be elected in the November elections.
In a publication in his social media platform, Truth Social, after Gershkovich was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison, Trump said President Joe Biden would "NEVER GET HIM OUT" unless he paid a "king's ransom."
"I will get him out FOR NO COMPENSATION immediately following our victory on November 5th, and it will be my great honor to do so. Vote for TRUMP, and The Wall Street Journal should STOP BEING STUPID!!!," Trump added. It wasn't immediately clear what he was making reference to when criticizing the media publication.
Less than two weeks later after the publication, the reporter was released along with two other U.S. citizens as part of the international prisoner exchange. The deal involves six nations and 24 people, including eight Russians imprisoned in the U.S., Germany, Slovenia, Norway and Poland. It also includes Marine veteran Paul Whelan.
Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023 while reporting in the city of Yekaterinburg. He was held in prison ever since and convicted in July 19 in a trial widely condemned as a sham. The WSJ had been vocally calling for his release, dedicating large portions of its coverage to advocate the cause.
Whelan, on his end, had been detained after visiting Russia to attend a friend's wedding in 2018. He was also convicted of espionage and had been serving a 16-year sentence in a penal colony.
The U.S., on its end, released three Russian prisoners, including a man facing charges of smuggling U.S. technology and ammunition to the Russian military.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said President Joe Biden had gathered with the family members of those being returned to the U.S. "This morning, the president is gathering the families of Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza at the White House to share with them the news that an exchange is underway to secure the release of their loved ones from Russia," he said. All were flown to Turkey before heading to their respective homes.
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