Key Call Revealed in Trump’s Flurry of Friday Night Posts
In a series of posts boasting about his Republican National Convention ratings, one important detail stood out.
Trump's Weekend Revelations: Call with Zelensky and Claims of Peace
In a series of social media posts following his acceptance of the GOP presidential nomination, Donald Trump highlighted the Republican National Convention’s ratings and claimed significant achievements. Among his remarks, he asserted he could secure the release of imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich without any concessions and promised to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Last night’s Republican Convention received HUGE TV RATINGS, the best ever! Fox News led the way, while MSNBC lagged behind. What a fantastic four days!” Trump declared on Truth Social, boasting of Fox News’s viewership during his lengthy speech, which surpassed 8.8 million according to Forbes.
While Trump expressed confidence about the convention's reception, he provided no specific reviews, though he received praise from familiar voices—Fox hosts, fellow Republicans, and pro-Trump social media figures. In his remarks, he also shared details of a call he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where Zelensky extended congratulations and condemned the assassination attempt on Trump.
Trump emphasized that, if elected president again, he would facilitate peace negotiations to end the conflict that has taken countless lives and devastated families. “Both sides can come together to negotiate a deal that will stop the violence and lead to a prosperous future," he asserted, labeling Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine as “genius” and “savvy.” His comments come despite his history of criticizing NATO and encouraging Russia's aggressive posture regarding member nations that underperform in defense spending.
For his part, Zelensky shared his perspective on the call, emphasizing America’s bipartisan support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom. “We expressed gratitude for U.S. assistance in bolstering our resistance against Russian aggression. Russian attacks on our cities and towns are ongoing,” he stated, highlighting the challenge of maintaining bipartisan U.S. support in an election year. He noted that he and Trump agreed to meet personally to discuss steps toward a fair and lasting peace.
Regarding Gershkovich, who was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison on espionage charges that both the Journal and the U.S. government refute, Trump reiterated his belief that Vladimir Putin would release Gershkovich if he regained the presidency. “I will have him back immediately without any compensation after our victory on November 5th,” Trump proclaimed on X.
President Joe Biden's campaign quickly dismissed Trump’s assertions, as did Trevor Reed, a former Marine who was detained in Russia from 2019 to 2022. “As a former wrongful detainee in Russia, I want to remind everyone that Trump had the chance to secure my release and Paul Whelan’s but chose not to. I’d be doubtful of his claims about rescuing Gershkovich so quickly,” Reed pointed out on X in May.
The release of WNBA star Brittney Griner in December 2022, as part of a prisoner swap for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, raised further skepticism about Trump’s lofty promises.
For more updates, tips can be sent to The Daily Beast.
In a series of social media posts following his acceptance of the GOP presidential nomination, Donald Trump highlighted the Republican National Convention’s ratings and claimed significant achievements. Among his remarks, he asserted he could secure the release of imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich without any concessions and promised to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Last night’s Republican Convention received HUGE TV RATINGS, the best ever! Fox News led the way, while MSNBC lagged behind. What a fantastic four days!” Trump declared on Truth Social, boasting of Fox News’s viewership during his lengthy speech, which surpassed 8.8 million according to Forbes.
While Trump expressed confidence about the convention's reception, he provided no specific reviews, though he received praise from familiar voices—Fox hosts, fellow Republicans, and pro-Trump social media figures. In his remarks, he also shared details of a call he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where Zelensky extended congratulations and condemned the assassination attempt on Trump.
Trump emphasized that, if elected president again, he would facilitate peace negotiations to end the conflict that has taken countless lives and devastated families. “Both sides can come together to negotiate a deal that will stop the violence and lead to a prosperous future," he asserted, labeling Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine as “genius” and “savvy.” His comments come despite his history of criticizing NATO and encouraging Russia's aggressive posture regarding member nations that underperform in defense spending.
For his part, Zelensky shared his perspective on the call, emphasizing America’s bipartisan support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom. “We expressed gratitude for U.S. assistance in bolstering our resistance against Russian aggression. Russian attacks on our cities and towns are ongoing,” he stated, highlighting the challenge of maintaining bipartisan U.S. support in an election year. He noted that he and Trump agreed to meet personally to discuss steps toward a fair and lasting peace.
Regarding Gershkovich, who was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison on espionage charges that both the Journal and the U.S. government refute, Trump reiterated his belief that Vladimir Putin would release Gershkovich if he regained the presidency. “I will have him back immediately without any compensation after our victory on November 5th,” Trump proclaimed on X.
President Joe Biden's campaign quickly dismissed Trump’s assertions, as did Trevor Reed, a former Marine who was detained in Russia from 2019 to 2022. “As a former wrongful detainee in Russia, I want to remind everyone that Trump had the chance to secure my release and Paul Whelan’s but chose not to. I’d be doubtful of his claims about rescuing Gershkovich so quickly,” Reed pointed out on X in May.
The release of WNBA star Brittney Griner in December 2022, as part of a prisoner swap for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, raised further skepticism about Trump’s lofty promises.
For more updates, tips can be sent to The Daily Beast.