Trump says US will not pay Turkey for release of detained American

Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terror-related charges, is under house arrest in Aegean province of Izmir, Turkey

President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States “will pay nothing” to Turkey for the release of detained American pastor Andrew Brunson, who he called “a great patriot hostage.”

Read: Propaganda, kebabs, and international sex scandals: Turkey’s soft power at play

“We will pay nothing for the release of an innocent man, but we are cutting back on Turkey!” Trump said on Twitter.

Turkey has taken advantage of the United States for many years. They are now holding our wonderful Christian Pastor, who I must now ask to represent our Country as a great patriot hostage. We will pay nothing for the release of an innocent man, but we are cutting back on Turkey!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018

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