Trump vows to get WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich released from Russian prison if he wins second term

Former President Donald Trump has pledged to secure the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia since March 2023 on allegations of espionage.

Gershkovich, 32, has recently appeared in a Russian court as his trial on espionage charges begins. The US government has maintained that Gershkovich is "wrongfully detained," while the Kremlin accuses him of spying. Trump announced on Truth Social on Wednesday morning that he would ensure Gershkovich's immediate return home if he wins a second term in November.

“EVAN GERSHKOVICH, the young Wall Street Journal reporter who is being harshly detained in Russia as his ESPIONAGE TRIAL is about to begin, will be released prior to my taking office if I WIN the Election on NOVEMBER 5th,” Trump wrote in his post on Truth Social. “Crooked Joe can’t do anything right, although it is likely that he will pay $BILLIONS, which continues a very bad ‘Biden Precedent,’ to get Evan home. I got a record 58 hostages brought home, paying next to nothing. Putin has no respect for Biden – and that’s the way it goes!!! Fear not, Evan, I will get you home soon, and you will be safe while there!!!”

A senior official in Moscow indicated that the Russian government is open to a prisoner swap to secure Gershkovich's return to the US, according to the Wall Street Journal. While no deal has been reached, the Biden administration previously engaged in a prisoner swap with Russia to bring WNBA player Brittney Griner back to the US in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the "merchant of death."

Gershkovich has been in Russian custody for over a year, having been arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service while on assignment for the Wall Street Journal. His family released a statement on Wednesday expressing their distress.

”These past 15 months have been extraordinarily painful for Evan and for our family. We miss our son and just want him home. We’re deeply disappointed that he will have to endure further attempts to discredit him,” the statement read.