President Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of criticism against the media on Saturday, labeling them as "sick degenerates" and vehemently refuting a report by Sky News.
The report alleged that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was subjected to an eight-hour wait by Russian President Vladimir Putin in a maneuver described as a "classic power play."
Steve Witkoff, serving as Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, was in Russia to engage with Putin's administration concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite his efforts, Witkoff left Moscow on Friday without securing a ceasefire agreement, which Ukraine had previously consented to. Nevertheless, Trump took to Truth Social, expressing optimism about the discussions with Putin. He stated, "there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end."
According to Mediaite, Sky News reported that Putin kept Witkoff waiting for an extended period before their meeting on Thursday. The article claimed, "After arriving around lunchtime on Thursday, he was left twiddling his thumbs for at least eight hours before being called into the Kremlin," suggesting it was a deliberate power move by Putin.
In response to these allegations, Trump vehemently denied the report, asserting, "The Fake News, as usual, is at it again!" He insisted that "there was no nine hour wait, or any wait at all!" Trump further criticized the media, accusing them of fabricating the story to "DEMEAN" his administration, attributing their actions to being "sick degenerates" who need to "start reporting the News correctly."
Trump elaborated on his Truth Social post, questioning the media's honesty and defending the efficiency of the meetings. He wrote, "Other meetings with other Representatives of Russia did take place and, obviously, they took some time, but they were very productive. From there, things went quickly and efficiently, and all signs seem to be, hopefully, very good!" He concluded his message by reiterating the absence of any delay and attributing the media's alleged falsehoods to their declining "ratings, their audience, and respect."
Amidst this media storm, Trump also faced scrutiny on Friday for remarks that appeared to echo Putin's narrative regarding Ukrainian forces being "surrounded" by Russian troops. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between Trump's administration and the media, as well as the complex dynamics of international diplomacy involving Russia and Ukraine.
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