Trump provokes shock, disbelief with Ukraine comments

Former President Donald Trump appeared yesterday on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo for the entire program. His comments on how he would end the Ukraine war in twenty-four hours drew the most shocked reactions. But whether he actually disclosed a future strategy, or whether anyone really understood what he said, is far from clear.

What Trump said

President Trump discussed foreign policy – his own and Joe Biden’s – in this segment. Ms. Bartiromo then asked the former president about his earlier statement about ending the Donbass War in 24 hours. He reiterated that he could, and she asked how.

This tweet, one of several, has the 38 seconds of footage in which Trump and Bartiromo discussed his relationships with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The text of that tweet displays a complete lack of understanding. Yes, Trump did say he found Zelensky “honorable,” but only in that Zelensky did not support the Democratic impeachment floor managers in their charge that Trump had pressured Zelensky in a telephone call. “He said he didn’t know anything about it!” the former president said, and that Zelensky “could have grandstanded” about it. When Bartiromo pressed him to stay on point, Trump spoke of sending two messages:

• To Zelensky, he would get no further support if he did not make a deal for peace, and
• To Putin, Trump would give Zelensky “a lot” if he did not make a deal.

But by “I would,” the former president could as easily have been talking about his past communications with both men, as with any concrete proposals.

Tracy Beanz took Never Back Down’s take seriously:

Ian Miles Cheong seemed to reach the same conclusion:

But another user inferred the opposite from Trump’s remarks:

In fact, the interview has no evidence that Trump actually said anything for the future.

Another perspective

“Noah” on We Love Trump said the same. He pointed out some historical perspective on Trump’s consistent anti-war stance.

After being consistently anti-war for his entire life and working to bring out troops home from their endless conflicts all around the world, did Trump finally do a huge 180 and decide to amp up the Ukraine debacle?

Do you think President Trump doesn’t realize that Ukraine is simply one massive money-laundering operation?

Of course not to both questions.

“Noah” is correct about Ukraine laundering money, specifically for Democratic candidates. The FTX scandal revealed that.

He also suggested that Trump deliberately cultivates a “wild man” image so that no one will ever call his bluff. And that he would never actually spell out his policy in advance.

The former president has said nothing so far since the latest pillage of the Kerch Strait Bridge.