Fact Check: "Trump said Zelensky is weak. That standing ovation went to the wrong person. It should have gone to Trump."
What We Know
The claim suggests that former President Donald Trump stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "weak" and that a standing ovation given to Zelensky should have been directed towards Trump instead. However, there is no credible evidence to support this assertion.
Recent reports indicate that Zelensky received a standing ovation from soldiers and Ukrainians in the U.S. shortly after a tense meeting with Trump in the Oval Office. During this meeting, Zelensky was praised for representing Ukraine with dignity amid ongoing conflict with Russia (Mirror, Manchester Evening News). The standing ovation was a response to his leadership and the challenges faced by Ukraine, not a reflection of weakness.
Analysis
The claim lacks substantial backing from reliable sources. The assertion that Trump called Zelensky "weak" appears to be unfounded, as there are no direct quotes or credible reports confirming this statement. Instead, the context surrounding the standing ovation highlights Zelensky's resilience and the support he received from the Ukrainian community in the U.S. after a difficult encounter with Trump (Mirror, Manchester Evening News).
Furthermore, the sources that discuss the standing ovation emphasize Zelensky's role in advocating for Ukraine during a critical time, rather than any notion that he is weak or undeserving of the applause. The standing ovation was described as a moment of solidarity with Zelensky, reinforcing his position as a leader in a time of crisis (Mirror, Manchester Evening News).
The reliability of the sources discussing this event is high, as they are established news outlets that provide context and details about the situation. However, the claim itself appears to be a misrepresentation or misunderstanding of the events that transpired.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that Trump said Zelensky is weak and that the standing ovation should have gone to him is not supported by credible evidence. Instead, the standing ovation was a recognition of Zelensky's leadership during a challenging time for Ukraine, and there is no record of Trump making such a statement.
