Trump reportedly branded Sisi a 'killer,' new book reveals
US President Donald Trump referred to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as a “fucking killer,” according to journalist Bob Woodward’s book on the US president.
In a conversation with then-White House legal adviser John Dowd, Woodward wrote that Trump expressed frustration with the way the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US elections was being handled and referenced an earlier talk with Sisi on releasing Aya Hijazi, an American-Egyptian who was detained for three years.
"Dowd, remember who I'm talking to. The guy's a fucking killer. This guy's a fucking killer! I'm getting it done. He'll make you sweat on the phone," Trump reportedly said.
"And right before we make the deal, Sisi says, ‘Donald, I'm worried about this investigation. Are you going to be around? Suppose I need a favour, Donald?’" Trump allegedly added while mocking Sisi's voice.
Woodward’s book, Fear: Trump in the White House, was released on Tuesday after a week-long publicity round, with published excerpts, leaks and interviews that portray Trump as dangerously erratic and uninformed.
On the eve of its release, the president took to Twitter with a preemptive round of attacks, denouncing as fiction Woodward's reconstruction of scenes in which frustrated aides scramble to contain the president's reckless impulses.
Trump has previously praised Sisi, saying he’s a “fantastic guy”.
Following Egypt’s election in late March, where Sisi won with 97 percent of the vote, Trump expressed his "sincere congratulations" to Sisi in a call, according to the Egyptian state news agency.
Human Rights Watch has warned that torture is "endemic" in Sisi's Egypt, which he took control of after a 2013 coup against Egypt's first elected president,Mohamed Morsi, followed by thousands of arrests and shootings of political dissidents.
Egyptian authorities have arrested or charged at least 60,000 people since the coup, while hundreds have been handed death sentences, rights groups say.
Stay informed with MEE's newsletters
Sign up to get the latest alerts, insights and analysis, starting with Turkey Unpacked
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
