Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, December 29, to negotiate peace talks with Russia. The setting alone was already doing damage. Then, Trump decided to add a little performance art with reporters.
The meeting took place at Mar-a-Lago. Yes, not in the White House, because nothing says “serious diplomacy” like conducting bilateral meetings at your private resort. As reporters waited nearby during lunch, Trump turned to the press and delivered a sneer dressed up as hospitality. And that’s a generous way to put it.
He asked the reporters if they were “okay,” then immediately suggested they sit outside to have some food. His next thought? Asking them if accepting his lunch would compromise their honesty.
I think you could sit outside and have some food. Would you like to have a spoon? Or do you consider that a bribe, and therefore you cannot write honestly? Or therefore you have to write a bad story?
Speaking like a master being generous to his slave, he asked the reporters again if they’d like to eat something. He even proceeded to give them “permission” to speak. But only a yes or no. Then a male reporter answered with a polite “Yes, sir.” So, Trump ordered staff to “take them outside,” and instructed the chef to serve them “a little lunch.”
One can squint and try to interpret the interaction as Trump being magnanimous. You can argue that he was concerned that the press might be hungry. But that assumption collapsed the moment he joked about bribery and dishonest coverage. His message wasn’t “please eat.” It was more like: “You’re corrupt anyway, so why not take a plate while you’re at it.” And you can’t argue that it was a respectful interaction.
But this isn’t a new behavior from the president. It’s only a new target demographic for him. Trump has been sneering at female reporters, mocking their voices, appearances, intelligence, and credentials for years now. And no, his temperament didn’t change. He just had no woman in immediate range to belittle this time, so he pivoted to men.
While the president may think he’s being funny, his comments were only degradation masquerading as humor. Sending reporters outside, joking about bribery, and reducing the press to punchlines during an active conflict isn’t one bit charming. And it landed among the common public exactly the way you’d expect. Users on X were furious, calling Trump’s statement cheap, embarrassing, and painfully unfunny.
One wrote, “He’s trying to be funny. Nobody thinks he’s funny; his guests just look embarrassed. Also, sending the press out in a non-government building isn’t funny.” As users noticed, Zelenskyy sat in awkwardness as Trump needlessly antagonized the people responsible for documenting the meeting. And as always, nobody said a word.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
