Putin Prayed for Trump After Pennsylvania Assassination Attempt, Says Special Envoy

Russian President Vladimir Putin has disclosed to Steve Witkoff, the White House's special envoy for the Middle East, that he prayed for the well-being of his "friend" Donald Trump following an assassination attempt on the then-presidential candidate last July. Witkoff shared on Tucker Carlson's podcast that Putin visited a Moscow church to pray for Trump after the incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was injured during a rally.

During the attack, Trump was wounded when a bullet grazed his right ear. The assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents on the scene. In addition to his prayers, Putin commissioned a portrait of Trump by a renowned Russian artist, which was delivered to Trump through Witkoff. Trump expressed gratitude for this gesture.

According to the special envoy, Putin's actions were motivated by personal friendship rather than political gain, emphasizing, "He did it not because... he could become President of the United States, but because he had a friendship with him, and he was praying for his friend."

Witkoff, who spent several hours meeting with Putin in Moscow last week, also dismissed claims that Russia harbored plans to attack other European countries as "absurd." He stated, "I don't consider Putin a bad guy. It's a complex situation, that war, and all the factors that led to it."

Since Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, significant shifts have occurred in peace negotiations between the United States and Russia to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. In February 2025, both governments agreed to reestablish their embassies' staff, marking an important step toward normalizing diplomatic relations. This unprecedented rapprochement since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine set the stage for future peace talks.

Subsequently, the U.S. President suspended military aid to Ukraine to pressure President Volodymyr Zelensky into engaging in peace negotiations with Russia, aiming to expedite the conflict's resolution.

In March 2025, Ukraine accepted a U.S. proposal for a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire with Russia, initially set for 30 days with the option for extension if mutually agreed upon. This cessation of hostilities covers land, sea, and air operations.

That same month, President Trump described a conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as "very positive and productive," wherein they discussed potential conditions for achieving peace in Ukraine.

Trump also reported a phone call with Zelensky, discussing the next steps to advance the peace process between Ukraine and Russia. He described the call as "very good," highlighting a focus on aligning the demands and needs of both nations.

The Complex Relationship Between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump

Speculation and analysis have surrounded the relationship between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump since before Trump's 2016 election. During that year's campaign, reports emerged of potential Russian interference intended to favor Trump's candidacy, sparking investigations and debates in the United States.

Throughout Trump's first term (2017-2021), both leaders publicly expressed a willingness to improve bilateral relations. However, accusations of election meddling and sanctions imposed on Russia for various international actions hindered significant progress in their relationship.

Following Trump's re-election in 2024, a more notable rapprochement between the two leaders has been observed. The February 2025 phone call was seen as an effort by both leaders to find diplomatic solutions to international conflicts and enhance relations between their countries.

The Kremlin has suggested that, beyond the two official phone calls reported in recent months, additional contact may have occurred between the leaders, indicating more frequent communication than publicly disclosed.

This history of interactions reflects a complex and evolving relationship between Putin and Trump, characterized by moments of tension and rapprochement, influenced by international events and the domestic policies of both nations.