Top Trump advisor Elon Musk made an unexpected appearance at the White House on Friday, sporting a t-shirt and baseball cap, setting an informal tone for what would become a contentious Oval Office meeting. The meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly escalated, with Trump expressing objections to Zelenskyy's tone and body language.
White House officials were reportedly irked by Zelenskyy's decision not to don a suit for the visit. Instead, Zelenskyy wore a black sweater emblazoned with Ukraine's national symbol. When questioned about his attire, Zelenskyy retorted,
"I will wear a suit after this war is over." – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The Oval Office encounter saw tensions rise as Vice President JD Vance suggested that Zelenskyy should express gratitude to Trump for the military aid the U.S. has provided to Ukraine in its defense against Russia. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump's objections were not tied to any specific remarks made by Zelenskyy but rather to his overall demeanor, which included arm-folding, eye-rolling, and a perceived lack of respect.
In a moment of levity before the clash, Trump greeted Zelenskyy outside the White House with a quip, "Oh look, you're all dressed up," highlighting the stark contrast between their respective styles.
The history between Trump and Zelenskyy provides context for this meeting. Trump was impeached in 2019 by the U.S. House of Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to a July 2019 phone call where he pressured Zelenskyy to investigate Hunter Biden and his father, former President Joe Biden. Although Trump was later acquitted in a Senate trial, the incident left lingering tensions.
During Friday's meeting, Zelenskyy challenged the notion that Russia could be trusted to uphold any diplomatic peace agreement. In response to Trump's defense of Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Trump stated, "Putin went through a hell of a lot with me," Zelenskyy countered by reiterating that he had expressed his gratitude "a lot of times. Even today."
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