During a White House roundtable on Wednesday, Donald Trump veered into controversial territory once again this time questioning when Ukraine will hold elections and repeating an unverified claim that “82% of Ukrainians want a settlement.”
Trump offered no source for the statistic, and critics quickly noted that no such poll has been identified. Many on social platforms pointed out that this mirrors well-known Russian narratives, which often try to portray Ukraine as divided or eager to concede territory to Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded firmly, reminding the world that decisions about Ukraine’s political future belong to Ukrainians themselves, not foreign leaders. He emphasized that Ukrainians have repeatedly shown strong support for resisting Russian aggression, even during wartime.
Online reactions were swift. Many users said Trump’s number was “entirely made up,” while others argued he was echoing disinformation designed to erode support for Ukraine’s defense. The consistent message: Ukrainians do want peace but not at the cost of surrendering their land or independence.
Trump’s “Gold Card” Announcement
At the same event, Trump announced a new immigration scheme called the “Trump gold card,” introduced alongside U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. The program would allow wealthy individuals to fast-track U.S. residency $1 million for individuals, $2 million for companies.
Trump framed it as a way to keep highly educated international graduates in the United States, saying many talented students are forced to leave after completing degrees. Supporters of expanded skilled immigration have long argued that retaining these graduates strengthens the U.S. economy and boosts innovation.
The proposal drew mixed reactions online, especially as critics questioned whether this plan prioritizes money over merit, and whether it would actually solve structural issues in the immigration system.
Comments
Post a Comment