Hidden Camera Reveals Trump Calling to Fire Ambassador Based On Gossip From Lev Parnas

A clip of former President Donald Trump calling for the immediate ousting of Ukrainian ambassador Marie Yovanovitch has surfaced online, and it’s a stunning piece of footage to view.

Lev Parnas has become the unlikeliest central figure in domestic US politics and foreign policy — and is back in the news cycle thanks to a documentary by MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow .

From Russia with Lev is a documentary focused on the “convoluted journey” Parnas took from what the film describes as a “small-time hustler to the center of Donald Trump’s inner circle.” Parnas played a key role in the events surrounding Trump’s first impeachment . He has since become a vocal critic of the 45th president, revealing to anyone who will listen to him what clearly sees as Trump’s corruption.

In 2019, Trump’s Department of Justice charged Parnas and his colleague Igor Fruman with conspiring to violate straw and foreign donor bans and summarily sentenced them to 20 months in prison for campaign finance, wire fraud, and false statement offenses.

ABC News initially uncovered an audio clip, but this video features more visuals and includes Parnas, who provides crucial context about Fruman’s secret recording and exactly how the conversation went down.

PARNAS (to camera): When Trump saw us, he greeted us like he always greeted us by saying “my guys” to me and Igor. Igor secretly recorded the whole thing. All of a sudden, topic changes to Ukraine. Me being me, I got into the conversation.

TRUMP: How’s Ukraine doing? Don’t ask me.

PARNAS: They love you, though.

PARNAS (to camera): I realize that Trump has no idea about Ukraine.

TRUMP: How long does Ukraine last in a fight with Russia?

PARNAS: Not very long Without us. Not very long.

PARNAS (to camera): He has no idea they have oil!

TRUMP:  He has oil?

PARNAS: A lot people —  number one in Europe. Yeah.

TRUMP: Ukraine?

PARNAS: Yes.

PARNAS (to camera): So prior to us coming to the event, I heard all these stories about what was going on with the Ukrainian ambassador and how she was, you know, a Soros plant and how she was part of the Clinton regime. The first thing that came out of my mouth is I said …

PARNAS: the biggest problem there I think we got to get rid of the ambassador. She’s still left over from the Clinton administration.

TRUMP: The ambassador … where, Ukraine?

PARNAS (to camera): I’m repeating gossip. I have no idea. I have no facts, no vetting.

PARNAS:  She’s basically walking around telling everybody, “wait, he’s going to get impeached.”

PARNAS (to camera):  He got angry all of a sudden, turned around to one of his aides and said…

TRUMP: Get rid of her. If you’re around him, take her out.

PARNAS (to camera): Okay. It was silence. The table looked each other. Nobody knew what to do. Do it. So we all start clapping.

(Applause)

Watch above via MSNBC.