Trump's week in review: Showdown with Zelensky, DOGE continues cuts
'You're gambling with World War III'
1. Trump kicks Zelensky out of White House: 'You don't have the cards'
One of the week's most notable incidents at the White House took place Friday afternoon when Trump and Vance engaged in a heated back-and-forth with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as they pressed him to make a peace deal with Russia to end the war that has raged for three years.
Their argument, which took place in the Oval Office in front of reporters, ended with Trump kicking Zelensky out of the White House without conducting a scheduled joint press conference or signing a planned rare minerals deal with him.
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Both Trump and Vance accused Zelensky of disrespect and ingratitude despite the many billions in aid the United States has given his country in recent years.
Watch this carefully. Very important.
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"You don't have the cards right now," Trump told Zelensky, who kept interrupting him.
"With us, you start having cards. You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have."
Vance also pointed out how, in the weeks before the 2024 presidential election, Zelensky toured an ammunition factory in Pennsylvania while flanked by leading Democratic officials in the swing state, which Vance suggested amounted to a campaign stop in support of Trump's political opposition.
At one point, Trump interrupted and backed Vance up when Zelensky accused Vance of trying to make his point by speaking "very loudly."
"He's not speaking loudly," Trump said. "Your country is in big trouble. You're not winning this."
"I know," Zelensky said.
Officials said that the White House was put off by Zelensky's demeanor when he shrugged and rolled his eyes during his conversation with Trump and Vance, according to Fox News.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz reportedly told Zelensky to leave and to return when he was ready to discuss peace.
The lunch he and Trump had planned to eat was reportedly given to staffers in the White House press office.
Following the tense exchange, Trump issued a statement on Truth Social indicating that he found Zelensky's behavior disrespectful.
???? Statement from President Donald J. Trump: pic.twitter.com/yRQOfaIPg9
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 28, 2025
"It's amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations," Trump wrote.
"I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace," he added.
Shortly after Zelensky was evicted, the White House issued a fact sheet backing up the president's statements during the Oval Office meeting.
Jon Brown is a reporter for The Christian Post. Send news tips to jon.brown@christianpost.com
