President Donald Trump drew a fierce wave of backlash after he suggested a U.S. ally fighting off an invasion should replace its leader.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had "better d— well stop" striking oil refineries in Russia, arguing the attacks were affecting diesel and hurting American farmers. "I think it's time for Ukraine to get a new president," he said, per clips of the moment.
When a reporter pointed out that Ukrainians are suffering under Russian attacks, Trump doubled down. "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal," he said.
The remarks set off a swift outcry online, with critics accusing Trump of doing Russian President Vladimir Putin's bidding. The progressive MeidasTouch political news network called him "the enemy of the free world" in a post on X.
"Anybody enabling this individual is a traitor to the United States," MeidasTouch continued, referring to Trump.
"Trump is a coward. Zelensky is a warrior," echoed former GOP congressman Joe Walsh. "Trump is a pathological liar. Zelensky is a truth teller. Trump is a scoundrel. Zelensky is a hero. Trump kisses Putin's a—. Zelensky is kicking Putin's a—. Trump is a traitor to the free world. Zelensky is defending the free world."
"I think it's time for the US to get a new president," suggested Kate Bohuslavska, a social media personality who runs the Kate from Kharkiv account.
"It's time for America to get a new president," agreed national security expert and political commentator Paul Rieckhoff. "One who stands with freedom instead of with Putin."
"Someone should explain to the US president that appointing Ukraine's president is not part of his job description," shot back Ukrainian politician Anton Gerashchenko. "Looks like we're having another Oval Office crisis."
"Trump is Putin's b—," blasted policy consultant and journalist Adam Cochran. "We must free Congress from its spinelessness and hold Trump accountable."