Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump appeared all smiles during their recent White House meeting — a sharp contrast to the Ukrainian president’s previous visit to Washington.
Back in late February, Zelenskyy’s trip to the U.S. turned tense as he found himself on the receiving end of sharp criticism from Trump and members of his administration.
During that meeting, Trump reportedly accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III,” while Senator JD Vance chastised him for what he saw as insufficient gratitude toward the United States’ efforts to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
The atmosphere grew even more hostile when American reporter Brian Glenn criticized the Ukrainian leader for not wearing a suit — cementing the encounter as a diplomatic low point.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s second trip to the White House went much more smoothly (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Glenn – who is the Chief White House Correspondent for Real America’s Voice – asked Zelenskyy at the time: “Why don’t you wear a suit? You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit. Do you own a suit?”
He was present again at Zelenskyy’s most recent meeting with Trump, where this time the Ukrainian president sported more formal attire.
Glenn told Zelenskyy that he looked ‘fabulous’ in his suit as Trump pointed out to his guest that Glenn was the reporter who ‘attacked’ him last time.
Zelenskyy’s outfit during his last White House meeting back in February (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Zelenskyy’s more formal attire during his most recent meeting with Trump (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Glenn went on to apologize for his actions in February before Zelenskyy got his own back in a now-viral moment.
He said: “You’re wearing the same suit. I’ve changed, you have not.”
The room then erupted into laughter, with Trump even chuckling as well.
See the funny moment here:
Instead he opted for a shirt with no tie and a military style jacket, though this was more formal than his outfit at his last White House appointment: a black henley bearing the Ukrainian trident.
Zelenskyy meanwhile has vowed not to wear a suit until the war with Russia is over.
People have been quick to react to Zelenskyy’s quip to the journalist online, and it seems to have gone down just as well as it did with everyone that was in the room with him.
“What a clever way to put that reporter in his place while smiling,” someone said.
Another added: “Zelenskyy was a comedian, he knows how to deal with hecklers.”
A third wrote on Twitter: “Ukrainians = humor + dignity. Always. Even our President proves it.”
Others hailed it as a ‘great comeback’ from Zelenskyy, with a different person penning: “Absolutely epic burn by Zelenskyy.”
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People have been reacting to Zelenskyy’s remarks online (Twitter)
Glenn is yet to react on social media to Zelenskyy’s dressing down but has shared several articles on the matter in what appears to be his way of taking it all in his stride.
The same couldn’t be said for his last encounter with Zelenskyy though, as Glenn rushed to Twitter after making the unfavorable comments to the Ukrainian president.
He said on March 1: “President Zelenskyy has worn the green jumpsuit (or something similar) on every occasion when meeting other world leaders, dressed respectfully for the occasion.
“For him, once again, to enter the highest office in the most powerful nation in the world, dressed as he did, reflects his inner disrespect for not only our country, the President and the US citizens that have made it possible for Ukraine to survive as long as they have to this point. (Financially speaking).”
