Liberal and conservative TV news hosts react to Trump's Oval Office clash with Zelensky
TV hosts from both sides of the aisle reacted to a heated Oval Office faceoff between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Friday after it was cut short by an argument.
Figures like Kaitlan Collins, Jim Acosta, and Brett Baier all weighed in - as the latter is still set to interview the visiting Ukrainian leader at 6 pm ET. The sit-down 'is still on', the Fox News host said on X - after the world watched diplomacy talks devolve in real time.
'They’re breaking out the good Vodka at the Kremlin tonight,' added former CNN star Acosta - after Trump told Ukraine’s leader 'make a deal or we’re out'. He appeared to insinuate Russia had been the one to come out on top following the fight.
'Trump has not uttered a critical word about Putin but he and his VP publicly belittled the leader of the nation Putin invaded,' added former CNN Newsroom colleague Jim Sciutto, who is also the station's chief national security correspondent.
Kaitlan Collins, the network's chief White House Correspondent, further raged: What just happened in the Oval Office was nothing short of remarkable.
'What began with questions about security guarantees for a ceasefire with Ukraine turned into an angry shouting match between Trump, Vance and Zelensky,' she went on.
'Trump was fuming, ending with, “We have empowered you to be a tough guy."' she recalled, before speaking directly to the president. 'You either make a deal or we are out. You don’t have the cards.'
Others, however, disagreed - as some said more of the same.
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TV hosts from both sides of the aisle reacted to a heated Oval Office faceoff between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Friday after it was cut short by an argument
Figures like Kaitlan Collins, Jim Acosta, and Brett Baier all weighed in - as the latter is still set to interview the visiting Ukrainian leader at 6 pm ET
'This is a catastrophe for Ukraine and for what has been an American-Ukrainian alliance', Brianna Keilar said on the set of of CNN News Central.
'I have never seen anything like what we just witnessed in the Oval Office.'
'This meeting between Trump and Zelensky could not have gone any worse. Putin must be overjoyed,' added Soviet-born CNN star Bianna Golodryga, who anchors One World with Zain Asher on both CNN International and CNN Max.
'This isn't television. It's a real life hot war on the European continent with profound stakes for the US-led world order,' said Noah Rothman of the conservative National Review, showing how even some on the right were distressed by what had occurred.
'This is all real. It is not a show,' he added, as other conservatives viewed the incident differently.
'Zelensky just HAD to have an attitude in front of the cameras. What a self sabotage,' scathed well-known conservative radio host Dana Loesch, who is a former writer and editor for Breitbart News.
'Pay attention to the anti-Trump and, sometimes, anti-American media voices that will pretend we somehow have to give in and do anything Ukraine wants,' added Jason Rantz, another conservative radio host.
'Both American and Ukrainian interests can and should be served. But Zelensky has to want both, too.'
The sit-down 'is still on', the Fox News host said on X - after the world watched diplomacy talks devolve in real time
'This is a catastrophe for Ukraine and for what has been an American-Ukrainian alliance', Brianna Keilar also said, on the set of of CNN News Central Friday, in the wake of the altercation. 'I have never seen anything like what we just witnessed in the Oval Office'
Stars and journalists from outlets ranging from The New Yorker to the conservative National Review aired disapproval, while some conservatives took a different stance
On the other side of the spectrum, the New Yorker's Susan Glasser raged: 'This is the most shocking behavior by Trump and Vance I’ve ever seen in the Oval Office. An ambush.'
'Can’t miss interview tonight 6pm EST,' added Baier, as many were left wondering whether his highly anticipated interview with the Ukrainian would be abandoned because of the disastrous summit.
Hours before, the sit-down came off the rails after Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of not being grateful enough for the US due to its support of Ukraine since being invaded by Russia.
'Mr. President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media,' Vance said after Zelensky repeatedly interrupted and disputed statements made by Trump.
'What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about?' Zelensky later asked - after being told by the VP that 'the path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy.'
'I'm talking about the kind of diplomacy that's going to end the destruction of your country,' Vance replied.
'Do you think it's respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America that's trying to prevent the destruction of your country?' Vance then asked.
'Have you said thank you once? During this entire meeting?' Vance asked.
'Zelensky just HAD to have an attitude in front of the cameras. What a self sabotage,' scathed well-known radio host Dana Loesch. 'Trump graciously greets Zelensky... but then Zelensky decided to pull that stunt unneccesarily,' added Jason Rantz, another radio host'
'Both American and Ukrainian interest can and should be served,' he added. 'But Zelensky has to want both, too'
The US, meanwhile, is engaged in talks with both Ukraine and Russia - albeit separately - about bringing an end to the three-year-long conflict. It has spent more than $100billion on aid since it began
'A lot of times,' Zelensky replied. 'Even today.'
But Trump remained unconvinced as to the leader's sincerity, urging him to continue to 'listen' to Vance as his running mate raged.
'Just say thank you,' Vance went on. 'Accept that there are disagreements and let's go litigate those disagreements rather than trying to fight it out in the American media when you're wrong. We know that you're wrong.'
After calling an impromptu end to the meeting, the US president issued a statement about the matter on his Truth social.
Zelensky 'is not ready for Peace,' Trump wrote in the post. '[Zelensky] disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office.'
'[He] can come back when he is ready for Peace.'
The US, meanwhile, is engaged in talks with both Ukraine and Russia - albeit separately - about bringing an end to the three-year-long conflict.
It has spent more than $100billion on aid since it began.
