# 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:** 16
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/301 "2025-03-02T18:15:38Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Zelenskyy had no control over when the media would be involved. > > They would have had lunch first if this had been serious. No one negotiates when they are hangry. > > A Russian news agent was said to have been there. You don’t have legitimate negotiations of any kind in front of cameras, and you sure as fuck don’t invite the propaganda arm of one of the participants in a ceasefire to record while berating the leader of the other. This was a proverbial “dog & pony show”, except in their utterly cluelessness Trump and Vance didn’t realize that Zelenskyy is neither dog nor pony. He is that most noble and underestimated of equines, a donkey, and anyone who has ever owned a donkey knows that the more you want them to do something the more stalwart they will be in resisting you. Vance is just lucky he didn’t get kicked in the head, and Trump that he doesn’t have deep square bite marks on his kindergartener’s sized mitts. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2025, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/302 "2025-03-02T19:08:27Z")
I’ve seen the same post in the comments section of our local television’s FB post about the Oval Office ambush. It’s amazing to think that someone who has difficulty grasping the subtleties of Candyland could think 10 moves ahead in chess. I think it’s pretty simple- Donnie admires Putin and wants to earn his approval such as he never received from his own father. In addition, Putin has limitless money, the ultimate test of a person’s worth in Donnie’s eyes. There is nothing that Zelenskyy can offer to match what Dear Old Vlad can, so of course the correct move is to suck up to Putin. Our best hope is that the Europeans can shoulder that share of the Ukraine support that the US formerly supplied. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/303 "2025-03-02T19:21:22Z")
If only Putin and Musk would stand on either side of Trump and drop trou. He’d starve to death like Buridan’s donkey ---
**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 2, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/304 "2025-03-02T19:31:57Z")
Some one posted part of this on a friend’s Facebook post. I was waiting till I was back home to post a response. Now that response will note that these are not even the MAGAt’s own thoughts or words. Also somebody posted that American businesses were operating in Ukraine when Putin invaded. I believe them. I would like a cite in case I am asked to provide it ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/305 "2025-03-02T20:26:51Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Also somebody posted that American businesses were operating in Ukraine when Putin invaded. I believe them. I would like a cite in case I am asked to provide it > **[Why 10 US Companies Are Rooting For An End To The Ukraine Crisis](https://www.ibtimes.com/ukraine-crisis-these-10-american-companies-are-feeling-heat-1561138)** > > The Ukraine crisis has affected many business models: here are 10. Stranger ---
**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 2, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/306 "2025-03-02T21:29:57Z")
Thank you so much! ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/307 "2025-03-02T21:40:16Z")
It’s not a comprehensive list, just some large corporations with major interests in Ukraine. There are a number of small aerospace companies with connections to Ukraine (because most of the Soviet-era and post-Soviet space launch manufacturing and engineering support facilities are in Dnipro and Kharkiv), and Ukraine was the largest provider of integrated electrical harnesses for the automotive and aeronautical industries prior to the invasion, among other domestic business concerns that support international industry. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Frilly\_Heck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@Frilly\_Heck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frilly_Heck)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/308 "2025-03-02T23:57:29Z")
My partner’s from Kharkiv, too. I wish we had ever had a chance to go back and see it before the war began. He did take me on a tour via Google Maps when the bombing started, showing me the places he remembered and such. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/309 "2025-03-03T00:15:45Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > However, as a lifelong practitioner of martial arts, strategy, and philosophy, let me explain the difference between what you believe you witnessed and what actually happened. Not sure what being a lifelong practitioner of martial arts has to do with anything. Sort of a weird credential to bring up. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/310 "2025-03-03T00:21:46Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > Not sure what being a lifelong practitioner of martial arts has to do with anything. Sort of a weird credential to bring up. Perhaps he thought that his knowledge of martial arts allowed him to see how Trump and Vance were using Zelensky’s supposed strengths to assist them in defeating him. That, or they were just getting waxed off. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/311 "2025-03-03T01:50:47Z")
> The eye sees all, but the mind shows us what we want to see. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/312 "2025-03-03T01:55:52Z")
Dipping into the magaverse, they are all just going on and on about the (lack of a) suit. I think that aspect was planned too, given that Zelensky is well-known at this point for dressing in army fatigues as a mark of solidarity. If Zelensky had worn a suit for the first time, the question would have included an insinuation about shopping. But he didn’t, so instead it was about disrespect. Either way it’s a completely vacuous point. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/313 "2025-03-03T03:46:40Z")
> [@dougrb](#): > > The eye sees all, but the mind shows us what we want to see. Ineluctable modality of the visible. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/314 "2025-03-03T04:19:54Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > If Zelensky had worn a suit for the first time If he had worn a fucking MAGA hat they still would have found a way to get mad at him for it. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/315 "2025-03-03T04:37:41Z")
> [@Dissonance](#): > > Seriously, I’m quite positive that the “perfect phone call” that got him impeached for the first time is at the top of the list of reasons TFG wants to ‘get even’ with Zelensky, the lives of Ukrainians be damned. Yes, I think this too. Agent Orange doesn’t like Zelensky and it’s a huge obstacle. That whole thing about calling for Ukraine to have elections, and Speaker Johnson’s remark today that Zelensky should resign shows how much the orange asshole would like to get rid of him, and if that can’t be accomplished then all of Ukraine can go down with him as far as the asshole is concerned. I have wondered if it would be possible for Ukraine to appoint someone clever, charming, smart and an excellent actor to be a super-duper special envoy to the US, imbued with the authority to make decisions on any further agreements who could stand in Zelensky’s stead. Because I think the chances of any further negotiations with Zelensky himself stand almost zero chance of being successful, because we have such a mean, small, petty little man as the head of our government, Og help us all. > [@Mijin](#): > > Dipping into the magaverse, they are all just going on and on about the (lack of a) suit. What if it had been (GASP) a tan suit?? Morons. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/316 "2025-03-03T05:17:46Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I think it’s quite possible if he got Russia to somehow agree to a retreat back to 2022 or 2014 borders, and/or peace in Gaza with meaningful progress to a 2-state solution then I could really see him getting it. Nobel Grift Prize ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/317 "2025-03-03T05:24:15Z")
Never mind that the whole suit thing is just manufactured bullshit like everything else the idiots expel, I think they, with their ridiculous hats, are the very least qualified to comment on anyone’s attire. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/318 "2025-03-03T05:49:17Z")
Nothing says “Klass” like a bright red Trucker Hat. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/319 "2025-03-03T06:45:12Z")
**K** neel **L** ike **A** **S** ervile **S** ycophant. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940/320 "2025-03-03T06:50:48Z")
I tossed that out, hoping someone would come up with something like **K** lassy **K** rimson **K** ap, but you Nailed It! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-disgusting-shakedown-of-zelensky/1014940.md?page=17)