'I'm beyond disgusted': Trump and Vance slammed for berating Ukrainian president

Early Friday afternoon, February 28, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a televised White House meeting.

Trump and Vance were both vehemently critical of Zelensky, claiming that he hasn't handled himself well in Ukraine's war with Russia. And both of them accused the Ukrainian president of being ungrateful for military aid the country received from the United States.

Trump was especially combative, angrily saying to Zelensky, "Don't tell us what we're going to feel because you’re in no position… to dictate what we're going to feel. We're going to feel very good and very strong. You’re right now, not in a very good position."

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Vance, similarly, told Zelensky, "I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media. Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems, you should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to his conflict."

The contentious press conference is receiving plenty of reactions on X, formerly Twitter.

CNN's Kaitlan Collins wrote, "What just happened in the Oval Office was nothing short of remarkable. What began with questions about security guarantees for a ceasefire with Ukraine turned into an angry shouting match between Trump, Vance and Zelensky. Trump was fuming, ending with, 'We have empowered you to be a tough guy…. You either make a deal or we are out. You don’t have the cards.'"

Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett tweeted, "Wow. This is such an embarrassment for the United States. Trump and JV Vance literally switched sides in a war and sided with a murderous dictator. Now they want Zelensky to apologize and kiss their feet. This s--- makes me sick."

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Liberal activist and singer/songwriter Bill Madden posted, "Watching Trump and Vance gang up and bully Zelensky, I have never been so disgusted and ashamed to be an American in my life."

KrassenCast's Brian Krassenstein tweeted, "This is utterly repulsive! Trump and Vance just tried to humiliate Zelensky live on American TV, smugly demanding gratitude while openly mocking him like playground bullies counting favors. My respect for Zelensky — and my embarrassment as an American — just surged off the charts. I’m beyond disgusted!"

Journalist Noelia Belén Izarza commented, "Trump and Vance just attempted to humiliate Zelensky live on American TV — smugly demanding gratitude while mocking him like playground bullies keeping score."s

Activist Lisa Vandever wrote, "This is so absolutely cringe-inducing, though between Vance, Trump and F/elon, hard to say which one is the worst."

Democratic activist Michael Foreman posted, "I'm embarrassed by Trump & Vance. I'm embarrassed by any Americans who presume to tell a country's president- whose country has been devastated by an unprovoked attack with millions of its citizens killed, permanently disabled, displaced or living under hostile rule by its invader - what he & his country should or should not accept.

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