Trump claims he secured release of American Stephen Hubbard from Russian prison
Trump says Stephen Hubbard was freed following a direct telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming no prisoner swap was required.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump said he secured the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American imprisoned in Russia, following a direct telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Here is the full post on truthsocial: “ Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released from prison, at the request of Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week. Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family. The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return – an unprecedented situation for Russia. There was no “swap” necessary for this release. This major return should have taken place long ago through the Biden Administration, which got nowhere in its negotiations with the Kremlin. Stephen is on his way back home. “Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back,” stated President Trump.” on October 21, 2026 at 6:37 AM ET.
This is Trump’s 2nd message released today, and the last post was 5 hours ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 17 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 61 of his 701 posts over the last 30 days classified as Foreign Policy posts.
Russian forces detained Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired U.S. schoolteacher from Michigan, in eastern Ukraine in 2022, according to boisestatepublicradio. The Moscow City Court sentenced him in October 2024 to nearly seven years in prison on charges of serving as a mercenary in the Ukrainian army, according to rferl. The Biden administration had formally designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained, according to boisestatepublicradio.
Zenger analysis
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Protomaps / Natural Earth – Russia
Photo by Protomaps / Natural Earth – Russia
Protomaps / Natural Earth – Ukraine
Photo by Protomaps / Natural Earth – Ukraine
President Trump is the author of The Art of the Deal, Think Like a Billionaire, and Think Big. Analyst and Trump supporter Rod Martin points to The Art of the Deal, Trump's 1987 book, as an explanation of his deal-making philosophy: making big announcements, pivoting often in public statements and, Martin says, ultimately getting what he wanted all along. Critics contend that Trump's books were published decades ago or were aimed at making money, not shedding light. "Generally," Martin said, "critics don't read The Art of the Deal. If they did, they would understand."