Whistle-blower controversy: impeachment calls grow as Donald Trump admits Bidens were subject of Ukraine phone call
- Matter has sparked a fierce debate over whether Trump misused his office for political gain
US President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that he discussed former vice-president Joe Biden and corruption allegations in a phone call with Ukraine’s leader, adding to calls by Trump’s opponents for his impeachment.
A whistle-blower’s complaint sparked off accusations that Trump had sought to persuade President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate a son of Biden, Trump’s possible 2020 election challenger - raising concerns of dangerous foreign meddling in the US election similar to the interference blamed on Russia in 2016.
Trump said that the conversation, held in July, addressed alleged corruption involving Biden and his son Hunter, and he floated the possibility that a transcript could be released.
“We had a very great conversation, very straight, very honest conversation. I hope they can put it out,” Trump said, repeating that he had done nothing wrong in the latest scandal to shake his presidency.
“The conversation I had was largely congratulatory, was largely corruption... and largely the fact that we don’t want our people, like vice-president Biden and his son, creating ... the corruption already in the Ukraine.”
