Inside a Russian Prison: Paul Whelan Tells His Story

The Chris Cuomo Project

Chris Cuomo

News, News Commentary, Politics, Government

4.6 • 3.3K Ratings

🗓️ 4 February 2025

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Paul Whelan (Marine Corps veteran and wrongfully detained U.S. citizen) joins Chris Cuomo to discuss his more than five years in a Russian prison on espionage charges, his fight for freedom, and what his experience reveals about U.S. diplomacy and Putin’s Russia. He details the conditions he endured, the emotional toll of being left behind while other Americans were freed, and the broader implications of wrongful detainment. Whelan also shares his perspective on Russia’s justice system, diplomatic negotiations, and what needs to change to better support Americans held abroad. Follow and subscribe to The Chris Cuomo Project on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday: https://linktr.ee/cuomoproject Join Chris Ad-Free On Substack: http://thechriscuomoproject.substack.com GoFundMe to help Paul Whelan integrate into a new life: https://gofund.me/43bff09c Support our sponsors: Cozy Earth Surprise your Valentine / Love with Cozy Earth. Get up to 40% off at cozyearth.com/CHRIS with my code CHRIS. iRestore Give yourself the gift of hair confidence this February. For a limited time only, our listeners get $625 off their iRestore Elite when you use code chris at iRestorelaser.com Factor Eat smart with Factor. Get started at FACTORMEALS.com/cuomo50off and use code cuomo50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. Oracle Right now, Oracle is offering to cut your current cloud bill in HALF if you move to OCI. For new US customers with minimum financial commitment. Offer ends March 31st. See if your company qualifies for this special offer at Oracle.com/CCP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Are you a smart booker or a silly booker?
0:07.4	Smart bookers get access to a three airport lounge by booking a five-star holiday with On the Beach.
0:13.8	Silly bookers?
0:14.8	Well, enjoy those cues at the bar.
0:17.1	Stop booking around and visit On the beach.coorg.
0:21.4	Conditions apply.
0:22.6	Seven night minimum stay outbound only from selected airports for up to six people,
0:25.8	Atoll protected.
0:28.7	You think you could make it five years or so in a Russian prison?
0:34.4	I'm Chris Cuomo.
0:35.9	Welcome to the Chris Cuomo project. Paul Whalen went for a wedding to Russia,
0:41.5	got scooped up, called a spy, called some kind of, you know, military big shot, and was just
0:47.9	held and toyed with. How did he keep his head together? How did he keep himself safe? And imagine what it was like
0:59.0	to feel forgotten, to watch a big shot WNBA player who had actually done something wrong,
1:05.7	not worthy of being detained the way she was, but Britney Griner go in, all this media outrage and her go home and you
1:12.8	still stuck in a work camp. Sitting there day after day, week, month, year, you don't speak the
1:21.4	language and you have no idea that the next promise will ever be real. Paul Whelan has not done a lot since he got out.
1:31.0	He's home and he wanted to talk to us and share what it was like, how he handled it, and how he got
1:39.3	home and what you need to know. Paul Whalen, in his own words, right now.
1:52.6	Paul Whalen, it is a great honor. I'm so happy that you're home and live in your life again.
1:59.0	When we got word that you would be part of the swap
2:01.1	August 1st, 2024, I was eight days before my birthday and once you're in your 50s and beyond,
	...

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