Putin eats Trump's lunch, Brunswick Beacon

Brunswick Beacon, 08.28.25

Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for kidnapping Ukrainian children and shipping them to Russia. Putin faces arrest in 125 countries that recognize the ICC, including every NATO country — except the U.S. 

Shamefully, Trump gave Putin a hero’s welcome in Alaska, beginning with the humiliating sight of American soldiers kneeling to literally roll out the red carpet for Putin. It continued with an honorary salute by the U.S. Air Force, like the flyover Trump staged for his own July 4 celebration. Trump clapped obsequiously as Putin beamed and strutted down the red carpet, hugged Putin warmly, then gave him a ride in “The Beast,” America’s presidential limousine, an honor reserved for our closest allies. Sensitive State Department papers carelessly left in a hotel printer revealed that Trump gave Putin an “American Bald Eagle Desk Statue.” 

Trump’s humiliation continued after the meeting ended. Because it was on American soil, Trump, as host, should have opened the concluding press conference. Instead, Putin shocked reporters and upstaged Trump by speaking first and for nine of its twelve minutes. No American president has ever allowed himself to be embarrassed like that. 

The worst humiliation came when ‘TACO’ Trump chickened out yet again. On July 28, Trump threatened sanctions on Russia and countries that buy Russian oil unless Putin agreed to a peace deal within “10 or 12 days.” After meeting Putin 18 days later, Trump admitted, “We didn’t get there.” Putin gave Trump nothing. Trump foolishly backed off his sanctions threat, abandoned his ceasefire proposal and bowed to Putin’s demand that Ukraine give land to Russia! The planned celebratory lunch with Putin was canceled. There was nothing to celebrate and Putin didn’t need lunch — he’d already eaten Trump’s. 

Trump wasn’t done humiliating himself. He cold-called Norway’s prime minister and begged for a Nobel Peace Prize. Caving to a war-criminal’s demands didn’t help his case. 

Rich Cooper 

Leland