Gransnet forums

News & politics

Trump/Zelensky interview in the White House

(676 Posts)
Oreo Fri 28-Feb-25 18:20:19

I’m shocked to the core by the absolute rudeness shown to Zelensky by Trump and Vance this afternoon.I’ve never seen anything like it.
However much they disagreed with things Zelensky said it was a terrible thing to see them try and humiliate him on public tv.
How Zelensky kept calm in the face of it I don’t know.
Even for Trump this was a new low. It should have been talks in private.🤬

Dickens Fri 28-Feb-25 22:30:37

vegansrock

Let’s hope King Charles withdraws his invite.

I think many of us would like that to happen - but I don't think it can.

It would be a major diplomatic blunder I believe - and these visits are all about diplomacy.

Though obviously I don't know King Charles, it's still fairly obvious that his intellect is far superior to that of Trump. He may not be loved and admired in the way his late mother was, but I think he commands some respect because of it. He appears not to suffer fools gladly and will possibly have some words to say to Trump privately.

... talking of which, Trump's decision to publicly display the letter of invitation like some trophy will not have gone down well in royal circles. These invitations may be public knowledge, but the contents of them are private matters.

I suppose you can't expect Trump to understand these delicate matters, the finer art of how these things are done, but he could have taken the trouble to inform himself though I suspect his unquenchable ego would prevent the thought from even occurring to him.

That meeting in the Oval Office between Zelensky, Batman and Robin was turned into a pastiche of The Apprentice. It would have been better for the world had Trump remained as its host instead of trying his hand at mafia-style politics.

imaround Fri 28-Feb-25 22:36:41

Americans are reacting muck like they do to everything else these idiots do. Most of us are appalled and disgusted, but MAGA is loving it.

I am seeing reports that Russian state media had "unauthorized" access to the Oval Office today. But a report from last night said they would have authorized access. Meanwhile, AP and Reuters are not allowed in the Oval Office. I have not confirmed, just taking a quick break from today's tasks.

On behalf of more than half of American's I am sorry to Europe, Ukraine, Canada, Mexico, Greenland, Denmark, South America (I feel like the list of who he hasn't threatened is shorter then the list of who he has threatened.

Only 29% of the US population voted for this man. A tyrannical minority is ruling right now.

Allira Fri 28-Feb-25 22:38:08

Oh, I don't think they're Batman and Robin, more Joker and Bane? (I don't watch Batman films but I think they're the baddies.)

Though obviously I don't know King Charles, it's still fairly obvious that his intellect is far superior to that of Trump. He may not be loved and admired in the way his late mother was, but I think he commands some respect because of it. He appears not to suffer fools gladly and will possibly have some words to say to Trump privately.
Yes, I think so too.
This is where our Monarchy comes into its own.

LauraNorderr Fri 28-Feb-25 22:41:19

That is the worst thing I’ve ever watched. I am shocked, disgusted, frightened and feel physically sick. I feel as though I have woken from a nightmare. Did that really happen.
I sincerely hope that our king and our government withdraw the invitation to Balmoral and turn our back on the USA until these evil b******ds are removed from office.
I hope that the rest of the western world unite in support of the honourable President Zelensky and the very brave Ukrainian people.
God help us all.

Rosie51 Fri 28-Feb-25 22:43:52

Allira

Doodledog

It was horrible to watch.

I've only just seen it.

I could have wept, it was dreadful. Just bullying, horrible to watch.

I've only just seen it too. I have wept. Zelensky conducted himself with dignity and restraint, not like the two bully boys beside him. Trump is bad but Vance is even worse. They display zero manners, zero decency, zero honesty and zero integrity.

Barleyfields Fri 28-Feb-25 22:43:57

I doubt the invitation will be withdrawn. That would, I think, be catastrophic. Charles is a man of integrity and will act accordingly.

Allira Fri 28-Feb-25 22:46:00

We have many Ukrainian refugees living around here, I hope they know we're with them and were appalled at this display of boorish bullying by one of the most powerful men in the world.

Furret Fri 28-Feb-25 22:46:11

Trump and Vance brought shame on the Oval Office, the office of President and the USA.

Allira Fri 28-Feb-25 22:48:25

Barleyfields

I doubt the invitation will be withdrawn. That would, I think, be catastrophic. Charles is a man of integrity and will act accordingly.

Yes, I think no-one here will descend to Trump's level and he might learn some manners.

.

merlotgran Fri 28-Feb-25 22:50:01

When is this state visit supposed to take place?

Furret Fri 28-Feb-25 22:50:11

mum2three

I thoroughly enjoyed the scene. Trump speaks his mind...no pussyfooting about with this man. How refreshing after Biden and Obama....sucking up and appeasing.

No pussyfooting eh? Just pussygrabbing?

Furret Fri 28-Feb-25 22:51:06

Allira

Barleyfields

I doubt the invitation will be withdrawn. That would, I think, be catastrophic. Charles is a man of integrity and will act accordingly.

Yes, I think no-one here will descend to Trump's level and he might learn some manners.

.

Perhaps delay any state visit….keep putting it off?

Allira Fri 28-Feb-25 22:52:44

merlotgran

When is this state visit supposed to take place?

Perhaps after they invite Zelensky?
🤞

PoliticsNerd Fri 28-Feb-25 22:52:47

Rory Stewart commented that this is a really difficult position the King is in. "Remember Canadians are now very upset." Apparently Canadian media has been very loud in there anger all day that their Head of State could have done this. RS also said that this would have been an idea from the Prime Minister. It's not something that the King, or Buckingham Palace generates.

Luckygirl3 Fri 28-Feb-25 22:57:22

I cannot bear to watch it. So very very sad.

War looms. What is the matter with these people?

Barleyfields Fri 28-Feb-25 22:59:59

merlotgran

When is this state visit supposed to take place?

They haven’t set a date yet but later this year was mentioned. Before that there is the invitation to visit Balmoral in the summer.

Allira Fri 28-Feb-25 23:00:03

Invitations for State visits are not issued because the recipient is admired or liked, necessarily, but for diplomatic reasons.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38808647

whywhywhy Fri 28-Feb-25 23:05:17

It was terrible and it showed just what Trump is like. It was Trump who showed himself up. Disgraceful behaviour and I’m feeling so sorry for the Ukrainian nation. Zelensky was and still is the better person.

JenniferEccles Fri 28-Feb-25 23:06:50

It was certainly a horrible spectacle to watch but I can’t help wondering if something happened or was said before the cameras started rolling which precipitated the angry exchanges with none of the three allowing any of the others to speak uninterrupted.

Sarah Smith, the BBC correspondent in Washington made the comment that Zelensky didn’t know how to deal with Trump which made me wonder if the press had heard something of a possible conversation before the meeting.

There were a lot of accusations that Zelensky had been disrespectful.
Much as I felt so sorry for him I will say one thing- he should most definitely have worn a suit.

Wyllow3 Fri 28-Feb-25 23:13:53

Trump told him off for that. Zelensky said he would wear a suit when peace time.

I think its up to him leading a country at war and not one had a right to demand he pretend it was all nice and playing diplomacy in an expensive suit.

Delila Fri 28-Feb-25 23:21:22

Wyllow3

Trump told him off for that. Zelensky said he would wear a suit when peace time.

I think its up to him leading a country at war and not one had a right to demand he pretend it was all nice and playing diplomacy in an expensive suit.

Yes, I think he has earned the right to dress as he wants to - his chosen mode of dress is an expression of his situation and he always looks perfectly presentable anyway.

eazybee Fri 28-Feb-25 23:22:01

Should this State Visit go ahead I hope the public will react with complete indifference. No demonstrations, no shouting,no placards, no pathetic displays like that dreadful balloon Khan organised last time; just silent contempt.

If there is one thing Trump cannot bear, it is being ignored.

Nanicky Fri 28-Feb-25 23:25:42

How dare Trump say anything about how Zelensky dresses, he needs to wash off his fake tan, and get a decent haircut. I too wept watching his shameful bullying, him and his little pet Vance. Hateful, dangerous Morons.

JenniferEccles Fri 28-Feb-25 23:27:39

But Zelensky had arrived for what surely was the most important meeting of his life, where his entire country’s future was at stake and he turned up casually dressed.

I’m sorry but that was wrong.
He got off on the wrong foot.

MaizieD Fri 28-Feb-25 23:32:46

Much as I felt so sorry for him I will say one thing- he should most definitely have worn a suit.

Searching images it looks as though Zelenski has never worn a suit when meeting heads of state since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Including when meeting President Biden.