Spicer Criticizes Media Coverage of Trump and Putin Meeting
Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer criticized media outlets for their negative portrayal of President Donald Trump’s welcome for Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Alaska Summit on Friday.
ABC News and CNN placed emphasis on Trump’s use of a red carpet for Putin. Spicer pointed out that the media shouldn’t focus so much on the red carpet, as Trump also greeted Putin near military aircraft, including B-2A Spirit stealth bombers.
Spicer expressed his frustration, saying, “I was kind of blown away… This has been a problem since day one of Trump. They’re always worried about the process. ‘Oh, my god, the carpet was red.’ Who cares? If you achieve peace and stop murders, what really matters? Yet, all these people complain about ‘Oh, God, he unfolded things.'”
He added, “Did you know it was impressive to see the B-2 flying overhead? Putin looks up. It wasn’t just a show of diplomacy. It’s more like, ‘Hey Buddy, if you do this again, we’re ready.'”
CNN host Abby Phillip commented that the red carpet isn’t customary in Ukraine. “I think it’s visual. Our reporters in the region say it rubs Ukraine the wrong way,” she noted. “Rolling out a red carpet for leaders accused of war crimes doesn’t go over well.”
ABC News anchors David Muir and Martha Raddatz also expressed concern, emphasizing that the optics of the meeting could favor Putin. Muir remarked, “It’s hard to believe that this is something we want to happen on American soil at this point.” Raddatz agreed, saying, “Absolutely David, and that red carpet was rolled out.”
As Trump and Putin walked the red carpet, B-2 bombers flew overhead, accompanied by four Lockheed F-35 fighters. This comes following the U.S. launching strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, using significant bombers based in Missouri.
Trump has repeatedly advocated for peace between Ukraine and Russia as part of his 2024 presidential campaign. He mentioned on Truth Social that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could end the conflict if Russia drops its NATO ambitions, especially after annexing Crimea in 2014.
This post was shared ahead of Zelensky’s visit to the White House, where he is set to meet with Trump and European leaders to discuss the situation with Putin.
Trump stated, “Ukrainian President Zelensky can end the war with Russia almost immediately if he chooses. Remember how it started? He can return to Obama—give Crimea back without a shot fired and not pursue NATO for Ukraine.”
