Trump's week in review: 'Economic D-Day' in Iran; plans to meet with Kim Jong Un
3. Trump to meet freed missionary Kevin Rideout at the White House
In a Truth Social post Sunday, Trump announced that “former hostage Kevin Rideout is getting ready to fly home to the United States after having been reunited with his beautiful wife, Krista.” He added: “I look forward to seeing Kevin and Krista at the White House soon!”
Rideout, a missionary pilot with the ministry organization SIM International, had been held captive since he was kidnapped outside his home in Niamey, Niger, last October. SIM International announced Rideout’s release late last week, and Trump confirmed in a Truth Social post that Rideout was back in “United States Custody.”
In a video released by the Libyan National Army, Rideout said he was “held by the Islamic State as a prisoner in Mali for 10 months.” He said he was in “good health” and thanked the Libyan National Army and its leadership for working to secure his release to Libya.
The video’s caption said the Libyan National Army carried out “an operation to raid inside the financial territory” to rescue Rideout and transfer him to Benghazi. But multiple officials with knowledge of the situation disputed that account, saying the release was secured through negotiation, not a raid. They also said a ransom payment played a role in freeing the missionary pilot.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
