Sondland was set to testify behind closed doors before the House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees as part of the House impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump and Ukraine . Sondland has been a player in Republican politics for a number of years but wasn't always a Trump supporter. After Trump locked up the nomination, Sondland, a frequent donor to the Republican National Committee, joined Trump and the RNC's joint finance operation. However, after Trump attacked a Gold Star family , Sondland sought to distance himself from Trump after The Seattle Times obtained an invitation to a August fundraiser for Trump that showed Sondland listed as an event sponsor. Sondland replied to Taylor saying that the diplomat was "incorrect about President Trump's intentions."

Source: CNN October 08, 2019 15:00 UTC