Trump Lauds Russian Release of Ill U.S. Marine and Pledges to Take Care of His ‘One Request’

Screenshot via Truth Social

President Donald Trump lauded the release of an increasingly ill U.S. Marine from Russia after four years, pledging in a Truth Social post to take care of Robert Gilman’s “one request” when he lands state side.

Gilman, 32, was a teacher taken into Russian custody in 2022 after being accused of causing a disturbance on a train and beating a police officer, a case his family disputed, according to the Associated Press.

Trump also voiced his thanks to Russian leader Vladimir Putin for releasing Gilman:

I am proud to announce that American Citizen Robert Gilman, a former United States Marine, is coming HOME! In a well known Media story, Robert was imprisoned in Russia in 2022, during the Biden Administration.

After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a Humanitarian Basis. We appreciate this decision, and the fact that Russia asked for no one in return — No exchange took place.

Robert will land at Andrews Air Force Base, in Washington, D.C., tonight, where my Representatives, some of whom are on the plane with him, will welcome Robert back to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! I just spoke to him, and he had one request — A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands.

I will take care of that!

During my Administration, we have prioritized bringing home Americans Detained Abroad, and have done so at a level never seen before, returning hundreds of people to their families.

We have also freed many non Americans who were under capture in different countries throughout the World. Robert Gilman has been reunited with his wonderful mother, Nancy, who is also on the plane with him, and will soon get to see all of his loved ones.

Thank you to my incredible Team, including Special Envoy for Peace Missions, Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy for Hostage Response, Adam Boehler, Senior Director for Counterterrorism, Sebastian Gorka, Jared Kushner, and the many others who made this possible. GOD BLESS AMERICA! President DONALD J. TRUMP

In 2025, Gilman, 32, had his sentence extended a decade after being found guilty of attacking prison guards, but his family and advocates had been pushing for his release — noting his deteriorating health.

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