Off The Record

Does The White House Altercation With Zelensky Qualify As A “Planned Political Mugging” Based On Trump’s Wink To Marjorie Taylor Green’s Reporter Boyfriend Brian Glenn?

Published on March 3, 2025

Just before noon on Friday in the Oval Office. During a standard friendly greeting, President Trump and President Zelensky sit in high-backed damask chairs that are angled cozily.

The Ukrainian leader adopts his host’s tense stance, bending forward a little and placing his hands interlocked on his lap.

However, even though Trump says it is a “honor” to welcome his special guest, the ceremonies will end with yelled insults, threats, aspersions, and diplomats moved to tears. At points, both men made such wild gestures that their arms crossed like swords in motion.

The globe was startled by the astonishing spectacle. However, was Zelensky’s act premeditated, a “planned political mugging,” as one diplomat described it?

Zelensky was, of course, told in advance to be alert.

Additionally, there were some hints that things weren’t quite as they looked. The most memorable was probably Trump’s sly jab at American reporter Brian Glenn, who agitated Zelensky, who was dressed in military garb, by posing the question, “Why don’t you wear a suit… Do you own a suit?”

By the way, Glenn is the boyfriend of Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right politician, who later tweeted that she was proud of him.

Trump’s mocking remark, “Oh, you’re all dressed up,” when an SUV disgorged Zelensky outside the White House earlier, didn’t bode well.

Even though Glenn was being hectoring—almost nasty—this was undoubtedly simply typical Trump teasing. In any event, the signing of a new deal on rare-earth minerals and other important matters needed to be discussed.

After entering, Trump made a big impression by introducing his visitor to Vice President JD Vance and other officials.

Meanwhile, chefs in the West Wing were busy preparing platters of collard greens, celery root puree, and rosemary chicken—a lunch that Zelensky would never be able to eat.

It was time for Trump and Zelensky to take their seats in front of the cameras in the Oval Office.

At first Trump flattered his guest, praising his brave soldiers, “your generals and yourself in the sense that it’s been very hard fighting. You should be very proud.” Zelensky: “I am proud.”

Trump, of however, was unable to avoid drawing attention to himself, claiming within two minutes that if he had been president at the time, the Russian invasion would never have occurred. But now all he wants is to’stop the shooting’.

Trump spoke for three minutes and twelve seconds before his guest was given a chance to speak.

“I hope together we can stop him… and save our country,” he added, glancing at the most powerful man in the Western world. “Putin is a terrorist and a killer.”

He went on to show Trump a succession of photographs of captured Ukrainian soldiers. Trump, stony-faced, nodded: “Hmm.”

Reporters are allowed to ask questions after almost eight minutes.

What about Ukraine’s long-term security? The Russian president is really serious about a deal, according to Trump.

Could this be an opportunity for Zelensky to be as enthusiastic? Trump believes that. And to honor the peacekeeping efforts of his hosts? Of course.

Zelensky did neither and struck out on a different path, praising Europe for its support during the war. “They really gave a lot.”

Trump leant towards him. “But they gave much less [than the US].” This brought a light ripple of laughter. Only 15 minutes had passed but some were already beginning to detect an edge in the air.

Do you think Trump is ‘on his side at the moment’? Zelensky was questioned. The president of the United States emphasized that he wanted to be perceived as a mediator.

Glenn came up with a simple question for Trump regarding his potential legacy as a peacemaker on this subject.

“I hope I will be remembered as a peacemaker… I am doing this to save lives… Thank you Brian for that question, it was a nice question…what was your second question?”

It was then that Glenn badgered the bemused Ukrainian about his attire. “You’re at the highest level in this country’s office and you refuse to wear a suit. Do you own a suit?”

Zelensky asked if his interrogator has a problem. “A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the dignity of this office,” pushed Glenn.

Using levity as the best weapon, Zelensky neatly stifled this line of attack: “I will wear costume after this war will finish…”

“Maybe something better than yours, I don’t know… maybe something cheaper.”

However, Zelensky’s discomfort became evident after this, and his irritation with Trump’s hogging of the spotlight only increased. At one point, he interrupted, raising his hand in a desperate request, “If I can answer please.”

He started to express his worries, but Trump cut him off by jokingly telling him that he liked his attire. He then turned to Glenn, calling him a “great guy,” and informed the reporter that the Ukrainian leader was “dressed beautifully.”

Zelensky stated that he would rather discuss more “serious questions,” and when he attempted to do so, Trump moved to his left, glanced up at Glenn, and gave him a wink. Discuss handing away the game.

Zelensky continued. After forty minutes, JD Vance decided to step in and inform Zelensky that negotiation was the only way to end the war. Everything took a turn for the worst at that point. “What am I talking about?” Zelensky asked.

“It is ‘disrespectful’ for the visiting leader to come to the Oval Office and present his case before the American media,” Vance said, interrupting the Ukrainian president.

He demanded that he thank Trump – “who is trying to save your country” – for his leadership.

By now in defensive pose, arms crossed, Zelensky looked stunned. “Please… you think if you speak very loudly about the war…”

Trump then said: “He is not speaking loudly. Your country is in big trouble… You’re not winning this. You have a damn good chance of coming out OK because of us.”

Trump once appeared to push Zelensky’s upper arm as he entered his personal space, his voice increasing in rage.

“The problem is I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy and I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States.”

“Your people are very brave but you’ve either got to make a deal or we’re out and if we’re out you’ll fight it out and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”

A minute later he added: “This is going to be great television I will say that.”

And that was the end of it. As the two men parted ways, Trump’s national security advisor Michael Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were sent to the Roosevelt Room to inform Zelensky that the remainder of the day’s activities would be canceled.

Then he left. He had only been in the White House for an hour and forty-nine minutes.

Churchill also refused to dress up for the White House

Supporters argue that President Zelensky was adhering to a solid precedent established by Winston Churchill when he chose to wear cargo pants and a black hoodie to the White House, despite accusations that he was disrespecting Donald Trump.

In January 1942, the wartime leader of Britain visited US President Franklin D. Roosevelt while dressed in a khaki air-raid outfit.

Churchill – whose bust Trump reinstated in the Oval Office – called it his ‘siren suit’, saying: “I can get into it in half a minute” when the air-raid warning sounded.

Trump was said to have been ‘irritated’ by Zelensky’s outfit and was caught saying mockingly: “He’s all dressed up today’ when the Ukrainian leader arrived at the White House.”

According to numerous US publications, Zelensky was urged by aides to don a suit “as a mark of respect for Trump,” but he refused.

A source said last night: “Trump made a joke before things turned nasty that he liked how Zelensky was dressed but in private you could tell he felt disrespected.”

“For Trump, how you present yourself is everything. He’s always in a suit, even having Sunday brunch at Mar-a-Lago. The only time I’ve seen him not in a suit is when he’s playing golf.”

“For Zelensky to turn up in a casual sweater is highly disrespectful to America which has given billions to Ukraine. Zelensky’s clothing didn’t help Trump’s mood.”

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