President Trump said he did not know Gordon Sondland very well after the U.S. ambassador to the European Union had said that there was a quid pro quo agreement between Trump and the Ukrainian government.
“I don’t know him very well. I have not spoken to him much,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday while Sondland was still testifying in front of the House Intelligence Committee. “This is not a man that I know well. He seems like a nice guy though.”
Sondland testified Wednesday that “yes” there was quid pro quo, a change from his initial denial. “Mr. Giuliani conveyed to Secretary Perry, Ambassador Volker, and others that President Trump wanted a public statement from President Zelensky committing to investigations of Burisma and the 2016 election,” Sondland testified. “Mr. Giuliani expressed those requests directly to the Ukrainians. Mr. Giuliani also expressed those requests directly to us. We all understood that these prerequisites for the White House call and White House meeting reflected President Trump’s desires and requirements.”
Trump has been previously complimentary of Sondland, who he appointed to be ambassador. The president called him “a really good man and great American” as recently as last month.
….to see. Importantly, Ambassador Sondland’s tweet, which few report, stated, “I believe you are incorrect about President Trump’s intentions. The President has been crystal clear: no quid pro quo’s of any kind.” That says it ALL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2019
The comments come as Democrats continue impeachment proceedings against Trump, arguing he threatened to withhold aid from Ukraine if they did not investigate Joe Biden. The House began public impeachment hearings last week.
