Former US President Donald Trump allegedly shared confidential information about nuclear submarines with an Australian businessman after his term ended. The Republican conveyed the details during a dinner at his private Mar-a-Lago estate in the US state of Florida, reported last night (local time), among others, broadcaster ABC and the New York Times newspaper, citing people familiar with what matters.
The Australian billionaire is said to have disclosed the details about the submarines. He was questioned by the Public Prosecutor’s Office as part of the ongoing investigation against Trump.
The Australian billionaire’s name does not appear in the case indictment. According to the New York Times, Trump did not show the man any classified material – but he did talk about classified information. Specifically, according to the New York Times, the former president reportedly talked about how many nuclear warheads were aboard the submarines and how close the submarines could get to Russian boats without being detected.
Confidential information kept in private rooms?
Trump has to fight legally on several fronts. The Republican is accused, among other things, of illegally storing highly sensitive information from his time as President of the United States in private rooms. According to the indictment, these include secret documents containing information about US nuclear capabilities and the country’s military emergency plans.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation searched his Mar-a-Lago property in August 2022 and confiscated several confidential information there. Trump pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Miami in June. It was the first federal indictment against Trump. The trial is scheduled to begin on May 20, 2024.