Feb 19, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Trump's "dictator" slam of Zelensky rocks Capitol Hill

Justin Green

This is Donald Trump — Photo: Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump's direct criticisms of Volodymyr Zelensky have detonated on Capitol Hill, where Republicans are torn between their loyalty to their president versus honoring their promises to Ukraine.

"The president speaks for himself," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters about Trump's latest comments.

Why it matters: In the past 24 hours, Trump called Zelensky "a dictator without elections," falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war with Russia and said it "could have made a deal" to end the fighting.

🥊 In response, some Republicans eviscerated Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Putin started this war. Putin committed war crimes. Putin is the dictator," Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) wrote on X.
"Vladimir Putin is a vile dictator and thug," Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) wrote on X.
"Vladimir Putin is the Dictator without Elections," Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) wrote on X.

Zoom in: Trump's slams today broke through the defenses of GOP senators, who had gotten smoother at dodging questions on Trump's social media posts.

"I would certainly not call Zelensky a dictator," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), as NBC News cataloged.
"It's not a word I would use," said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
"I wouldn't use the same word," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Between the lines: Some Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), agree with Trump that Zelensky should hold elections.

They've been put off as allowed by the country's constitution because of martial law since Russia's 2022 invasion.

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Trump's "dictator" slam of Zelensky rocks Capitol Hill

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