Donald Trump has never been one to shy away from controversy, but what unfolded during his latest public appearance left even his staunchest supporters shaking their heads. The former president, who has long boasted of his “special relationship” with Vladimir Putin, was left utterly humiliated after the Russian leader appeared to throw him under the bus in a shocking diplomatic twist.
The drama erupted after Putin made statements during a press briefing that contradicted Trump’s previous claims about U.S.-Russia relations. For years, Trump has flaunted himself as the only American leader who could “control” or “win respect” from Putin. Yet in front of an international audience, Putin dismissed those claims outright, portraying Trump as a weak and desperate figure.
Eyewitnesses say Trump visibly lost his composure as reporters pressed him on Putin’s words. Struggling to defend himself, Trump rambled through a series of excuses, only to make matters worse. Clips of the exchange quickly went viral online, with critics calling it “the ultimate betrayal” and late-night hosts mocking Trump’s meltdown.
Insiders within the GOP are now panicking. Some fear that this humiliation could destroy the narrative Trump has built around his foreign policy “strength.” One Republican strategist told IHIP News: “This was a disaster. If even Putin won’t stand with him anymore, what does Trump have left?”
Trump, meanwhile, took to social media with furious posts, accusing the media of twisting Putin’s words. But the damage is done—Trump’s image as a master dealmaker lies in tatters, and the betrayal by Putin may prove to be one humiliation too many.