In a recent podcast interview, Donald Trump placed the blame for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine squarely on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Joe Biden, making no mention of Vladimir Putin—a striking omission that reflects his troubling affinity for the Russian leader.
During the interview with podcaster Patrick Bet-David, Trump displayed a psychopathic tendency to absolve the aggressor—Putin—of blame, instead shifting responsibility to the leaders of the nation under siege, asserting that Biden “instigated that war.”
“I think Zelensky is one of the greatest salesmen I’ve ever seen,” he said while complaining about the financial support the U.S. has extended to Ukraine. Trump’s rhetoric suggested a complete denial of Putin’s aggression while showing a disturbing lack of empathy for the victims of the conflict, focusing instead on his perception of Zelensky’s prowess in garnering aid.
“He should never have let that war start,” Trump claimed about Zelensky, while insisting, “This should’ve been settled before it started. It would’ve been so easy.” Such statements reveal a psychopathic tendency to absolve the aggressor—Putin—of blame, instead shifting responsibility to the leaders of the nation under siege.
The former president has repeatedly maintained that if he were still in power, the invasion would never have happened, showcasing a grandiose sense of self-importance.
“Putin never ever would have gone into Ukraine if I were president,” he remarked, reinforcing his pride in his connection with Putin.
“And I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with President Putin,” he said, further indicating a preference for aligning with an authoritarian figure over supporting an embattled democracy.
New revelations from Bob Woodward’s book War further illuminate Trump’s submissive relationship with Putin, detailing how Trump sent COVID-19 tests to the Russian president during the pandemic while U.S. hospitals struggled to obtain the equipment, and maintained frequent communication with him post-presidency.
This raises questions about Trump’s motivations and his tendency to excuse or overlook Putin’s aggression.
Watch Trump’s interview below:
After lying that Zelenskyy started Ukraine's war with Russia, Trump says he "largely blames" Biden for the war and adds that Biden "instigated" it. (Putin apparently is blameless in Trump's eyes) pic.twitter.com/19Wzpa3aOw
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 17, 2024
