"This is going to be great television. I will say that," Donald Trump said on Saturday but it was not the season finale of his reality show, 'The Apprentice'. The remarks actually came after the US president had an ugly spat with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump's comments have sparked controversy, with many claiming that the whole showdown at the Oval Office in front of the media was staged. Anchor Gretchen Carlson, while appearing on CNN's morning show, alleged that Trump wanted to woo the American public to further his nationalist agenda.
WATCH IN FULL: All 46 minutes of the Oval Office meeting between President Donald J. Trump and President Zelenskyy pic.twitter.com/L88QejnhRA
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 28, 2025
"Trump and Vance know they're playing to the American public more than anything else," she added.
Talking to CNN anchor Abby Philip, Carlson said, "I felt like it was completely planned, Abby... Even Trump said this was great TV, and it's sort of like he let the cat out of the bag."
Carlson, who is a former Fox News anchor, claimed that the it was a deliberate spectacle staged for maximum political impact. Being a former reality TV star, she said Trump knew how to turn the tables with a public stunt.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2025
Trump is known for being tough, especially during his second term. But Carlson said the latest showdown was different from being tough on crimes or illegal immigration.
Talking to the New York Times, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said he had advised Zelenskyy against "taking the bait" or "get into arguments about security arrangements."
Following the fiasco, Trump decided to cancel the signing ceremony and call off a joint press conference. Zelenskyy's team was told to leave the White House after the US side turned down Zelenskyy's request for a one-on-one with Trump.
