Trump Accused of Sub Leak to Aussie Billionaire

Media reports have surfaced accusing former US President Donald Trump of disclosing sensitive information about the country’s nuclear submarines during a conversation with Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt at his Mar-a-Lago country club in Florida. The alleged discussion, which took place in April 2021, supposedly included details about the number of warheads carried by US submarines and their proximity capabilities to Russian vessels without detection. Pratt, the owner of Pratt Industries, reportedly shared this information with over a dozen Australian officials, journalists, and some employees, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Controversy Unveiled: Trump Accused of Submarine Disclosure

While it remains unclear whether Trump’s comments were accurate or if the information was classified, US prosecutors and FBI agents reportedly interviewed Pratt twice this year, cautioning him against further dissemination due to its potential sensitivity. The allegations were brought to the attention of US special counsel Jack Smith, who is prosecuting Trump on charges related to mishandling classified documents and attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. The indictment regarding classified documents did not reference Trump’s conversation with Pratt.

Earlier this year, CNN released a recording of Trump allegedly discussing military secrets at his New Jersey country club. In May, CNN also reported that Trump had admitted to retaining a classified document outlining US military plans for a potential attack on Iran. Pratt, a member of Mar-a-Lago, asserted that he raised the topic of US nuclear submarines to engage in conversation with Trump, proposing that Australia should consider purchasing submarines from the US. According to Pratt, Trump responded by making claims about the capabilities of US submarines but did not show any government documents.

The conversation coincided with Australia’s negotiations with President Joe Biden’s administration to acquire US nuclear-powered submarines, a deal later finalized with Australia purchasing three submarines. Pratt maintained that he shared details of the conversation with others to illustrate his advocacy for Australia’s interests in the US. A spokesperson for Trump denied any wrongdoing on the former president’s part, stating that the accusations lack “proper context and relevant information.”