# Trump's disgusting shakedown of Zelensky **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [February 28, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940 "2025-02-28T19:52:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/201 "2025-03-01T17:14:42Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > What grinds my gears is you just know that Maga types watching this will be like "YEAH!! YOU TELL 'EM!! THAT’S HOW YOU TALK TO THEM FURRINERS!! YOU GET GODDAM RESPECT LIKE THAT!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I’d like to direct your attention to [this trio of posts](https://imgur.com/a/YdiI1jt) from a Trumper friend of mine. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/202 "2025-03-01T17:22:37Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Even in the best case, this ‘alliance’ will only hold together until one pf the parties like China or Iran thinks that they can get the upper hand in establishing some regional hegemony. This is a really terrible idea that is even worse than just isolating the US (and Russia) to the extent possible and letting them melt down from within. Nope, it’s very similar to how the allies defeated the axis powers, sow divisions, kill the supporters of Hitler, including civilians and make whatever deal you have to with whatever ugly actors you have to in order to defeat the greater evil. As Churchill said, “If Hitler invaded hell I would make at least a favorable reference to the devil in the House of Commons.” ---
**Author:** ![natureboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@natureboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natureboy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/203 "2025-03-01T17:39:25Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > A) do everything in their power to exacerbate America’s political divides, including covert funding for astroturf secessionist movements (both far left and far right). Not a betting man, but if I were, my money would be on the far-right, ultra-nationalist, imperialist regime emerging as the winner, particularly given how they already have control of the federal government and most state governments as well. You’re suggesting that we even further radicalize the already-radicalized. _What could go wrong?_ ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/204 "2025-03-01T17:44:58Z")
> [@natureboy](#): > > What could go wrong? > [@madmonk28](#): > > form alliances with China, jihadists, Iranians Nothing, absolutely nothing. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/205 "2025-03-01T17:55:00Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > But we learned how much Trump and Russia have been through together, which I did not know. I am beginning to understand how Trump could lose money running a casino. This was a surreal bit in an otherwise mind-blowing day: Trump actually expressed sympathy for what poor dear Putin had to go through because of Russia Russia Russia. (And why does he always say it that way?) ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/206 "2025-03-01T17:58:07Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > (And why does he always say it that way?) He and all the MAGAs. It’s the same-same: a catchy snarl phrase is infinitely easier for the red hats to parrot than it would be to engage in a substantive discussion of either the Mueller Report or the _“Report of the Select Committee on Intelligence United States Senate on Russian Active Measures Campaigns and Interference in the 2016 U.S. Election”_ From “Make America Great Again” to “MAGA” to “TDS” to “US.” To his credit, Trump has figured out that he just has to keep dumbing down the message more and more if he wants his supporters to have any chance at all of keeping up. And – for him – it works. Og help us. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/207 "2025-03-01T18:02:33Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I’m still watching this shit-show of the complete oval office meeting and “little” Marco Rubio looks completely emasculated. “Little” comes from Trump I believe. He looks like a whipped and beat dog John Bolton said today that Rubio should resign. Not going to happen, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/208 "2025-03-01T18:09:52Z")
Rubio sold his soul long ago. I do not think redemption is ever in his future. I hope he is not religious. He’s not going to heaven. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/209 "2025-03-01T18:12:29Z")
If you went back to the 80’s and said that Russia was invading a European country, and but that we could stop them in their tracks with no NATO troops but a contribution of 5% of our annual defense budget, only it was being shut down by a Republican president, I wonder what they would say. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/210 "2025-03-01T18:17:47Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > John Bolton said today that Rubio should resign. Not going to happen, of course Similarly, Anthony Scaramucci said a few days ago that Rubio will “break” if he doesn’t quit. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/211 "2025-03-01T18:22:59Z")
I disagree with basically everything Reagan said and did. However I think his position on this would have been a loud speech threatening Putin and then he would send in the troops. For all his many flaws Ron certainly loved America and freedom ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/212 "2025-03-01T18:23:01Z")
The solidarity of European Leaders for Zelenskyy is impressive. > **[European leaders renew support for Ukraine after Zelenskyy's stormy meeting...](https://www.npr.org/2025/03/01/g-s1-51506/european-leaders-react-to-zelenskyy-oval-office)** > > Leaders from across Europe came quickly to the defense of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after his televised clash with President Trump and Vice President Vance. > The European Union’s most powerful leader, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, told Zelenskyy online that his “dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people,” adding an encouragement that he “be strong, be brave, be fearless,” and concluding “you are never alone.” > > Within just an hour or two of the Oval Office meeting, similar expressions of support and solidarity online came from the Spanish premier, Pedro Sánchez, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and President Petr Pavel, and many others, including Australia’s premier, Anthony Albanese. If Trump weren’t a known Russian asset, I’d admire the way he is bringing Europe together by giving it a common enemy to band against. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/213 "2025-03-01T18:30:31Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > This was a surreal bit in an otherwise mind-blowing day: Trump actually expressed sympathy for what poor dear Putin had to go through because of Russia Russia Russia. > > (And why does he always say it that way?) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-yZHveWFvqM/hqdefault.jpg "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yZHveWFvqM) ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/214 "2025-03-01T18:34:05Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > If you went back to the 80’s and said that Russia was invading a European country, and but that we could stop them in their tracks with no NATO troops but a contribution of 5% of our annual defense budget, only it was being shut down by a Republican president, I wonder what they would say. I tried explaining that to some MAGA folks I know. Whatever we’re spending on Ukraine is a cheap way to stymie our enemy. We’re getting rid of a bunch of inventory that’s just sitting around doing nothing, we’re getting paid for it, US manufacturers are going to get paid to restock our munitions, and we get to see how these things work on a real life battlefield. It’s great for us. The problem I’m finding is they don’t see Russia as an enemy. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/215 "2025-03-01T18:35:28Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > If Trump weren’t a known Russian asset, I’d admire the way he is bringing Europe together by giving it a common enemy to band against. I’d love to see Europe unite in a European Defense Alliance, which would be equivalent to NATO - US + Ukraine, and pledge to match any military hardware previously provided by the US for the defense of Ukraine, plus boots on the ground if necessary. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/216 "2025-03-01T18:42:10Z")
Heck, a Euro-Ukraine alliance might be justified in bombing the US, like the British did in 1940 against still-ally-on-paper Vichy France (to pre-emptively destroy ships and planes that the Nazis might have otherwise used). Indeed, perhaps there are other parallels to the US now and Vichy France. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/217 "2025-03-01T18:44:29Z")
She also said that they were yelling at each other. President Felon and VP Couch Boy were the only ones yelling. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/218 "2025-03-01T18:49:48Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > If Trump weren’t a known Russian asset, I’d admire the way he is bringing Europe together by giving it a common enemy to band against. Sure…but where will NATO have to buy its weapons and ammo? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/219 "2025-03-01T18:55:00Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Sure…but where will NATO have to buy its weapons and ammo? Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia. They have industry. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/220 "2025-03-01T18:56:15Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > The problem I’m finding is they don’t see Russia as an enemy. There is, indeed, no indication at all that this incident hurt Trump’s popularity or cost him any political capital. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940.md?page=12)