Reports: Trump revealed two nuclear secrets about U.S. submarines to Australian billionaire
According to ABC News and the New York Times, special counsel Jack Smith is investigating allegations as part of the investigation into Trump's possession and handling of U.S. classified documents.
Two media outlets reported Friday that former President Donald Trump is being investigated over allegations he revealed two secrets about U.S. submarines during a discussion at Mar-a-Lago.
According to ABC News and the New York Times, special counsel Jack Smith is looking into allegations Trump told a member of his Palm Beach club, Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt, the number of nuclear warheads the submarines typically carry as well as how close they can get to Russian submarines without being detected.
The revelations are part of the investigation into Trump's possession and handling of U.S. classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, once dubbed the Southern White House. Trump is scheduled to go on trial in the case on May 20 of next year.
Here is what we know about the latest allegation:
How did Trump allegedly spill the submarine nuclear secrets to the Mar-a-Lago member?
According to ABC and the Times, sources with knowledge of the episode said Pratt has told Smith's team that Trump disclosed the sensitive information after Pratt said Australia should purchase its submarines from the United States.
At that point, ABC reported, an "excited" Trump leaned toward Pratt in "discreet" fashion to tell him the number of warheads the American submarines usually have onboard and how close they can get to Russia's subs.
'Mob boss': former White House lawyer Ty Cobb blasts Trump over new developments in Mar-a-Lago case
Who else might now know this information on nuclear sub?
The story said Pratt then told investigators he shared that information with at least 45 individuals. The report also cites information that a former Mar-a-Lago employee told the special counsel's investigative team that he overheard Pratt telling others what Trump had just revealed soon after the conversation between the former president and the Australian.
Trump news: Donald Trump's real estate fraud trial begins in New York: What you missed.
Is this news part of the Trump classified documents indictment?
No, this particular episode was not mentioned in the 37-count indictment.
However, the Times report said Pratt is among as many as 80 potential witnesses that could be called to testify in the classified documents case.
The indictment does allege two instances in which Trump is accused of showing sensitive information to people.
The first, the indictment indicated, was detailed in a July 2021 audio recording where Trump is heard talking as he is apparently displaying a "secret" and "highly confidential" document related to Iran. The second involved a "PAC Representative" who was shown a classified map in August or September of 2021.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the Paste BN Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.