U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) ridiculed Secretary of State Marco Rubio for praising President Donald Trump’s chaotic meeting with the leader of Ukraine.
The White House meeting devolved into chaos after Trump and Vice President JD Vance tore into Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and accused him of being “disrespectful.” The heated exchange received widespread criticism as some of Trump’s top allies rushed to praise and defend him.
Rubio, once a supporter of Ukraine, lauded Trump for his behavior during the meeting despite the backlash he received.
“Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!” Rubio wrote on X.
Rubio’s post also drew some rebuke on X, with many users pointing out that he looked “uncomfortable” during the meeting with Zelenskyy.
Swalwell tore into Rubio on Friday over his statement on the meeting.
“Bro, did you write this? We all saw you. You tried to shrink in your chair. You looked at Trump like he was some crazy a-- pops who was embarrassing you on your first date,” Swalwell wrote.
“Don’t bulls--t us. Grow a pair,” he added.
Zelenskyy left the White House shortly after the meeting without signing a minerals deal with the U.S. that Trump demanded.
Earlier in the meeting Trump said the U.S. would continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, but said he hoped that not too much aid would be forthcoming. “We’re not looking forward to sending a lot of arms,” Trump said. “We’re looking forward to getting the war finished so we can do other things.”
Trump suggested that Zelenskyy wasn’t in a position to be demanding concessions.
“You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump said pointing his finger toward Zelenskyy. “With us you start having cards.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stories by Lauren Sforza
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