Trump criticizes the proposed prisoner swap for a Russian arms dealer while referring to jailed WNBA star Brittney Griner as a “possibly spoilt person.”
Former President Donald Trump called WNBA player Brittney Griner a “possibly pampered person” and blasted a plan to trade her for a Russian arms dealer.
Cannabis oil was discovered in Griner’s suitcase in February, leading to her detention in Russia. And as the American government negotiates for her repatriation, she is very much on the minds of Mercury fans.
It is unknown when Brittney Griner, a star of the Phoenix Mercury, would be allowed to leave Russian custody and return to the United States.
Viktor Bout
The Biden administration has suggested exchanging Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, who is now serving a 25-year prison sentence, for Griner and imprisoned former marine Paul Whelan.
During a radio appearance, Trump discussed Griner and the suggested arrangement.
She entered that perilous area, where they pay close attention to drugs, fully laden. According to Trump, they don’t like drugs. She got caught, too.
And now we’re supposed to get her out for an utter killer and one of the largest arms traffickers in the world, and she makes, you know, a lot of money, I think.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Griner was detained in Russia at the time of her arrest in February, just before Russia invaded Ukraine because it was allegedly discovered by authorities in her luggage at an airport outside of Moscow to contain cannabis oil. According to her attorneys, she obtained a prescription for medical marijuana to treat her discomfort. In a “show trial” with a “predetermined” result, as experts put it, she pleaded guilty to narcotics smuggling charges.
A look back
Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner recorded a season-high 34 points on August 25, 2019, in a 94-86 defeat to the Chicago Sky. Griner finished the season as the league’s top scorer for the second time in her career and held the top blocker spot for seven straight years. With a final record of 15–19, the Mercury earned the eighth seed. The Chicago Sky defeated the Mercury 105-76 in the first-round knockout match.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season at IMG Academy was postponed and reduced to 22 games. Griner left the bubble after 12 games for unspecified personal reasons. The Mercury ended 13-9 without Griner, earning the fifth seed. They would advance to the second round, where they would suffer an elimination loss to the Minnesota Lynx.