Trump denies alleged plan to give billions to Iran and lashes out at the press

WASHINGTON.- Former U.S. President Donald Trump, described as “ridiculous” and “false” information that circulated this week, according to which he would have proposed to give up to 30 billion dollars to Iran in exchange for a new nuclear agreement.

“Who in the fake news media is the scoundrel who says ‘President Trump wants to give Iran $30 billion to build non-military nuclear facilities’?” he wrote on his Truth Social network this Friday. “I have never heard of this absurd idea. It’s just another hoax to discredit. These people are sick!” he concluded. According to reports published by CNN, the Trump administration would have explored an initiative to promote an Iranian nuclear program of a civil nature, without military purposes, with an economic contribution of between 20,000 and 30,000 million dollars. However, cited sources indicated that this financing would not come directly from the US government, but from regional allies. The plan would also involve lifting some sanctions and allowing Iran access to about $6 billion frozen in international banks, as part of a package to encourage cooperation.

Criticisms of CNN

Trump, known for his frequent attacks on media outlets he considers opponents, once again lashed out at CNN in another post on Truth Social. This time, he questioned journalist Abby Phillip and her coverage of economic issues. “I just watched a certain Abby Phillip lecture her audience about tariffs and the economy, which is doing spectacularly well. She has no idea what she’s talking about. It’s garbage,” he wrote. In addition, he asserted that CNN’s audience has disappeared and predicted that “it’s only going to get worse.” These statements add to a week of tension between Trump and the channel, after an intelligence report with critical assessments of the US strategy towards Iran during his administration was leaked.