The Kremlin on Wednesday confirmed a report that former President Trump sent Russian President Vladimir Putin COVID-19 testing equipment during the height of the pandemic.
Why it matters: The Trump campaign categorically denied new revelations in journalist Bob Woodward's book "War," which renewed scrutiny of the relationship between Putin and the Republican presidential nominee.
Catch up quick: Woodward reported in his book that during the early days of the pandemic, Trump sent scarcely available COVID-19 testing machines for the Russian leader's personal use.
- Woodward also reported that Trump and Putin have had "as many as seven" personal conversations since Trump left office in 2021.
- Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said Tuesday that the allegations were "made up stories" and called Woodward "a truly demented and deranged man."
Driving the news: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Bloomberg in a written statement that "we also sent equipment at the beginning of the pandemic," the outlet reported Wednesday.
- However, Peskov denied the reported phone calls between Trump and Putin, describing the allegation as "not true," Russian state news agency TASS reported.
Zoom out: "What the hell's wrong with this guy?" President Biden said during a speech in Pennsylvania Tuesday while calling out Trump's decision to send COVID-19 testing equipment to Putin, per a White House pool report.
- "Did you ever ... see ... a president who's been so unethical as this president has been?" Biden asked.
Go deeper: Trump has had "as many as seven" phone calls with Putin since leaving office, book claims
