Trump launches extraordinary rant at ‘stupid’ critics’ ahead of White House showdown with Zelensky: Live updates

All eyes are on the White House today as President Donald Trump prepares to host a slew of European leaders who want an immediate ceasefire deal to end the deadly Russia-Ukraine war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be joined by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der LeyenGermany’s Friedrich Merz and more.

It comes months after his disastrous Oval Office shouting match with Zelensky that ended with the Ukrainian leader being ‘kicked out’.

Trump posted a flurry of seemingly angry social media rants overnight tearing into the ‘fake news’ for calling his upcoming White House meeting with world leaders a ‘big loss’.

‘Actually, it is a great honor for America!!!’ he insisted. 

The president also defended his high-stakes meeting with Russian President Putin on Friday in Alaska, which ended without a ceasefire deal or rough framework for peace with Ukraine

He also sent supporters into a tailspin on Sunday after posting a one-word message ‘bela’ to his Truth Social without additional context.

Follow along with the Daily Mail’s live blog for more: 

Trump tears into ‘stupid’ critics while bragging about ending ‘6 wars in 6 months’

President Donald Trump raged at the Wall Street Journal after the outlet claimed he ‘rolled out the red carpet’ for Vladimir Putin.

Hours before he is set to welcome European leaders to the Oval Office, Trump took to Truth Social to voice his hatred.

‘I’ve settled 6 Wars in 6 months, one of them a possible Nuclear disaster, and yet I have to read & listen to the Wall Street Journal, and many other who truly don’t have a clue, tell me everything that I am doing wrong on the Russia/Ukraine MESS, that is Sleepy Joe Biden’s war, not mine.’

‘I’m only here to stop it, not to prosecute it any further. It would have NEVER happened if I was President. I know exactly what I’m doing, and I don’t need the advice of people who have been working on all of these conflicts for years, and were never able to do a thing to stop them.’

‘They are “STUPID” people, with no common sense, intelligence, or understanding, and they only make the current R/U disaster more difficult to FIX. Despite all of my lightweight and very jealous critics, I’ll get it done — I always do!!! President DJT’

Trump tees up White House showdown with European leaders on Russia-Ukraine peace with cryptic message: Live updates

Finnish president joins European delegation at White House

Finnish president Alexander Stubb joined the other members of the European delegation at the White House.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni greeted at White House ahead of Trump meeting

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was greeted at the White House as she prepares to meet with President Donald Trump.

Meloni is apart of the European delegation seeking to discuss with Trump his latest talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding ending the war in Ukraine.

Take a look at the moment below:

GRABS View of White House driveway as leaders arrive for Trump-Zelenskiy meeting
GRABS View of White House driveway as leaders arrive for Trump-Zelenskiy meeting
GRABS View of White House driveway as leaders arrive for Trump-Zelenskiy meeting

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives to White House

U.K Prime Minister joined other European leaders at the White House ahead of Trump-Zelensky meeting later today.

The upcoming meeting inside the Oval Office comes following a summit last week in Alaska between Trump and Vladimir Putin.

The president is working on outlining a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine to end the war.

Starmer was greeted at the White House by US chief of protocol Monica Crowley.

Take a look at the moment below:

GRABS View of White House driveway as leaders arrive for Trump-Zelenskiy meeting
GRABS View of White House driveway as leaders arrive for Trump-Zelenskiy meeting

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen steps out of limo

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived at the White House on Friday afternoon to meet with President Donald Trump.

GRABS View of White House driveway as leaders arrive for Trump-Zelenskiy meeting
GRABS View of White House driveway as leaders arrive for Trump-Zelenskiy meeting

NATO Secretary General who called Trump ‘daddy’ is welcomed at the White House

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte arrived to the White House ahead of the Friday afternoon meeting with Donald Trump.

In June, Ruttew was forced to backtrack on an embarrassing remark where he apparently called Trump ‘daddy.’

Rutte said that ‘daddy has to use strong language’ to get Israel and Iran to sort things out, to which Trump agreed.

‘You have to use strong language. Every once in a while you have to use a certain word,’ the president said.

But the NATO chief’s comments raised eyebrows across the world, and later in the day Rutte, the former prime minister of the Netherlands, was forced to backtrack.

He said: ‘The daddy thing, I didn’t call [Trump] daddy, what I said, is that sometimes… In Europe, I hear sometimes countries saying, “hey, Mark, will the US stay with us?”

GRABS View of White House driveway as leaders arrive for Trump-Zelenskiy meeting

Pro-Ukraine protestors rally outside of the White House ahead of Trump-Zelensky meeting

Former US ambassador to Ukraine flames Trump before Oval Office meeting with Zelensky

Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink revealed that she resigned back in April because Trump’s first meeting with Zelensky ended in ‘disaster.’

Trump and Zelensky had a falling out in front of cameras at the Oval Office in February. Trump, along with Vice President JD Vance, accused the Ukraine leader of not being grateful for U.S. support.

‘The last Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office meeting was a disaster – and one of the reasons I resigned as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine,’ Brink wrote on X.

‘We need to stand with democracies, and against dictators. This is what makes America strong.’

Melania Trump penned a personal ‘peace letter’ to Putin at Alaska summit

First Lady Melania Trump penned a personal ‘peace letter’ to Vladimir Putin asking him to protect innocent children in the Ukraine war.

Althought the first lady did not attend the Alaska summit on Friday, the letter was given to Putin via President Donald Trump.

She asked Putin to ‘protect the innocence of these children’ and ‘strive to paint a dignity-filled world for all.’

‘Every child shares the same quiet dreams in their heart, whether born randomly into a nation’s rustic countryside or a magnificent city-center. They dream of love, possibility, and safety from danger.’

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives to DC for Trump meeting

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Washington, D.C. on Monday morning ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump over his summit with Vladimir Putin.

Starmer, along with other European allies, will discuss with Trump how to move forward in the peace process with Russia as they look towards ending the war in Ukraine.

After arriving to DC, the British leader ignored questions from reporters as he shuffled into his vehicle.

Zelensky meets with Trump’s Special Representative for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg

Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Trump’s Special Representative for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, in Washington D.C. on Monday ahead of the European leaders meeting at the White House.

Following the meeting, the Ukranian leader thanked the General on X, saying:

‘We discussed the battlefield situation and our strong diplomatic capabilities – Ukraine’s and all of Europe’s together with America. Russia can only be forced into peace through strength, and President Trump has that strength. We have to do everything right to make peace happen.’

Kellogg also took to the social media platform to agree that the pair had a ‘great discussion’ before the White House sit-down.

WASHINGTON DC, US - AUGUST 18: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - 'UKRAINIAN PRESIDENCY / HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with US President Donald Trump's Special Representative for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, in Washington D.C. on August 18, 2025. (Photo by Ukrainian Presidency/Anadolu via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON DC, US - AUGUST 18: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - 'UKRAINIAN PRESIDENCY / HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with US President Donald Trump's Special Representative for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, in Washington D.C. on August 18, 2025. (Photo by Ukrainian Presidency/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Former Ukrainian president says Putin is taking advantage of Trump’s peace talks

Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko claimed Vladimir Putin is engaging in peace talks with Trump so he can continue fighting in Ukraine without any punishments.

‘Putin wants to have a “blah blah blah” about a peace progress, because he can continue [his war] without any limits,’ Poroshenko told CNN.

Poroshenko served as president of Ukraine in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The former Ukraine leader demanded Putin agree to a ceasefire in order to engage in peace talks.

‘A ceasefire means, “Stop killing innocent Ukranian civilians.” A ceasefire means, “Stop losing time.” A ceasefire is an extremely important step for launching the peace progress.’

Ukrainian designer predicts Zelensky will appear in a ‘black military suit’ to avoid drama

A Ukranian designer predicted that Volodymyr Zelensky will appear in a more formal attire ahead of his meeting with Trump.

‘Tomorrow he most likely will not appear in a polo,’ said Ukrainian designer Elvira Gasanova to Fox News Digital. ‘I think he will choose a black military suit or a military-style shirt with trousers — perhaps a jacket.’

During his last meeting in the Oval Office, Zelensky’s attire reportidely angered Trump. Gasanova suggests the Ukranian leader will have ‘a more serious look — though less symbolic.’

‘After the recent ‘no suit’ drama, he will likely approach this question differently.’

BERLIN, GERMANY - AUGUST 13: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured) at the Chancellery following a virtual meeting hosted by Merz between European leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump on August 13, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. The meeting was meant to clarify the European position prior to talks scheduled for Friday between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on reaching an end to the Russian war in Ukraine. (Photo by Omer Messinger/Getty Images)

Pence tells Trump to bring ‘the hammer’ down on Putin

As Trump prepares to host Ukranian and European leaders at the Oval Office, his former vice president is demanding he get tougher with Vladimir Putin.

During a Sunday CNN interview with Jake Tapper, Pence claimed Trump usually handles dictators with a ‘velvet glove’ but siad ‘the hammer needs to come, and it needs to come immediately.’

‘The combination of engagement, but also making it clear to Putin that we are prepared to take actions that would literally break his economy even while we redouble our commitment to the security of Ukraine.’

‘We can’t allow Vladimir to run out the clock on the war… the sanctions ought to be on the president’s desk.’

Trump rages at ‘Fake News Media’ and Democrats hours before his meeting with Zelensky

President Donald Trump raged at Democrats and ‘Fake News Media’ for critiszing his handling of the Russian-Ukraine war hours before he set to welcome European leaders to the White House.

Trump claimed that even if he convinced Russia to handover Moscow and St. Petersburg that the media and Democrats would still criticize him.

I am totally convinced that if Russia raised their hands and said, “We give up, we concede, we surrender, we will GIVE Ukraine and the great United States of America, the most revered, respected, and powerful of all countries, EVER, Moscow and St. Petersburg, and everything surrounding them for a thousand miles, the Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners would say that this was a bad and humiliating day for Donald J. Trump, one of the worst days in the history of our Country.”

But that’s why they are the FAKE NEWS, and the badly failing Radical Left Democrats. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!

Trump tees up White House showdown with European leaders on Russia-Ukraine peace with cryptic message: Live updates

Here is the timeline for Trump’s White House meetings to discuss Russia-Ukraine peace

President Donald Trump’s entire day is filled with back-to-back meetings with Ukranian officials and leaders all across Europe.

Following his dramatic summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Trump is expected to relay his discussions with the Russian leader to U.S. allies.

European leaders, such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, will arrive to the White House at 12pm ET.

Trump will then greet Zelensky at 1PM ET for a bilateral meeting set for 1:15pm ET.

At around 2:00pm ET, Trump will greet European leaders before taking a photo with the entire delegation at approximately 2:30pm ET.

The day will end with a multilaterial meeting with European leaders at 3pm ET.

Following the White House meetings, Zelensky will be interviewed by Fox News anchor Bret Baier at 6pm ET.

TOPSHOT - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference with European Commission President in Brussels, on August 17, 2025. (Photo by Simon Wohlfahrt / AFP) (Photo by SIMON WOHLFAHRT/AFP via Getty Images)

JD Vance will attend White House meeting with Zelensky after their dramatic fight

Vice President JD Vance will attend Monday’s meeting in the Oval Office with Ukranian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky is set to meet President Donald Trump at the White House following the Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin.

Vance famously had a dramatic blowup with Zelensky after claiming the Ukranian president was ungrateful for U.S. aide during the war.

Trump’s limo ride offer to Putin at Alaska summit viewed as a sign of ‘mutual trust’ between the two

Donald Trump made an unusual gesture by inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to ride along with him in the Beast, the presidential limo, before Friday’s peace meeting.

Footage appeared to show Putin smiling as he rode along with Trump during their only alone time at the start of the summit.

On Russian state media, Natalia Kosikhina, a Russian senator, said that the car ride showed a ‘high level of mutual trust.’

Marco Rubio says Ukraine and Russia both need to ‘give up something’ to end war

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday outlined what would lead to a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement.

‘These are things that Zelenskyy is going to have to decide on. These are things that the Ukrainian side is going to have to agree to,’ Rubio told Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures.

‘The minute you put additional sanctions on him [Putin]… peace talks are no longer possible.’

He added, ‘If one side gets everything they want, that’s not a peace deal. It’s called surrender.’

Steve Witkoff says Putin agreed to security guarantees for Ukraine

President Donald Trump’s most-trusted foreign envoy Steve Witkoff claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to ‘robust’ security gurantees ahead of a potential peace agreement.

During a Sunday interview on CNN, Witkoff said that the Russian leader signed off on a possible collective defense of Ukraine gurantee by the US and European allies.

‘We agreed to robust security guarantees that I would describe as game-changing,” said Witkoff.

He added that the Russian delegation vowed to a ‘legislative enshrinement’ of a promise not to invade Ukraine or another European country if all parties agree to a peace plan.

Members of the Russian delegation did not mention these pledges following the Alaska peace summit.

U.S. President Donald Trump stands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Police secret service members keep watch outside the White House ahead of European leaders meeting

White House asks Zelensky to wear a suit in the Oval Office

The White House asked Ukrainian officials if Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky would wear a suit to the meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office on Monday, according to a report from Axios.

During Trump’s last Oval Office meeting with Zelensky, the Ukranian leader’s outfit was a major issue for the president.

Back in June, Trump met Zelensky, who was wearing a black jacket, at a NATO summit.

Zelesnky will reportidely come to the White House later today in the same jacket, according to Axios.

*** BESTPIX *** WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump and Zelensky are meeting today to negotiate a preliminary agreement on sharing Ukraine's mineral resources that Trump says will allow America to recoup aid provided to Kyiv while supporting Ukraine's economy. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

What did Putin say that ‘spooked’ Trump’s team in Alaska?

Vladimir Putin appeared to ‘spook’ members of Donald Trump‘s team after the two leaders met in Alaska on Friday, some observers have claimed.

The two leaders hammered out the beginnings of a Ukraine peace deal at the summit, with Putin securing concessions on a ‘land swap’ that would see vast swathes of Ukraine become Russian.

And today the U.S. President is expected to try and pressure Zelensky into accepting the deal in crunch talks at the White House that will also be attended by European leaders.

Putin says ‘security of Ukraine should be ensured’ at last week’s Alaska peace summit

At last week’s Pursuing Peace summit, Russian president Vladimir Putin said he is interested in ending the war in Ukraine at his joint press conference with Donald Trump.

‘I agree with President Trump, as he has [said] today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well,’ Putin said.

‘Naturally, we are prepared to work on that I would like to hope that the agreement that we’ve reached together will help us bring closer to that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.’

Putin said on Friday that having a good relationship with Trump makes him confident that ‘we can come to see the end of the conflict in Ukraine.’

U.S. President Donald Trump stands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Flashback: Zelensky ‘kicked out’ of White House after Trump showdown as peace talks collapse

In February, President Donald Trump abruptly halted peace talks between Russia and Ukraine and kicked President Volodymyr Zelensky out of the White House after a blistering Oval Office shouting match between the two leaders.

It proved an extraordinary day at the White House, which saw Zelensky walk out of the West Wing and slip into his SUV following an explosive encounter with the president.

He was driven away under a flood of camera lights and left dozens of unanswered questions.

The unprecedented scene left Ukraine’s future in doubt as the country fights for its life.

Today, Zelensky will be back at the White House for the first time since the disastrous showdown earlier this year.

Trump says he made ‘great progress’ towards a peace deal at Alaska summit, but ‘didn’t get there’

Donald Trump said he made ‘some headway’ during his 2.5-hour-long meeting with Vladimir Putin last week.

‘We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to,’ Trump said, ‘We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.’

In an extremely uncharacteristic move, Trump allowed Putin to speak first – at what had been billed as a bilateral press conference – and then didn’t answer a single question before shaking hands with Putin again and sauntering offstage.

Their whole appearance before the press lasted just 12 minutes following more than three hours of private conversation.

Trump to host Zelensky and European leaders at White House today

President Trump is set to host Ukranian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House today following last week’s Alaska summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Several other European leaders will travel to Washington D.C., including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The meeting comes amid Trump’s intensified efforts to reach a peace agreement in the ongoing three year Russia-Ukraine war.

Earlier, Trump took to Truth Social to post several messages hitting out at ‘fake news’ for calling his upcoming White House meeting with world leaders a ‘big loss.’

He also posted a cryptic message overnight directed toward Zelensky, months after their disastrous Oval Office meeting that had the Ukrainian leader fleeing the White House without a deal.

‘President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,’ said Trump.

‘Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!’

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - AUGUST 17: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the EU Commission President Ursula (Unseen) talk to media prior a virtual meeting with EU leaders in the Berlaymont, the EU Commission headquarter on August 17, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. The bilateral talks between Ukraine's President Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen come as European leaders announce they will join Zelensky and US President Trump for a meeting in Washington, DC on Monday. On Friday, Trump held a summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss terms for ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)

Source link

Related Posts

Load More Posts Loading...No More Posts.