Fact Check: Trump believed he could end the Ukraine-Russia war within 24 hours.

Fact Check: "Trump believed he could end the Ukraine-Russia war within 24 hours."

What We Know

During his campaign and subsequent public appearances, Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that he could end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine "in 24 hours" if he were to return to the presidency. For instance, in March 2023, Trump stated, "I will have it solved within one day, a peace between them," referring to the conflict that had been ongoing since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 (source-2). This assertion was echoed in various settings, including a CNN town hall in May 2023, where he reiterated, "I’ll have that done in 24 hours" (source-6).

Trump's statements about resolving the conflict quickly have been a consistent theme throughout his political career, with him suggesting that a simple negotiation could lead to peace (source-4). His campaign spokesperson has also indicated that a top priority for Trump would be to negotiate an end to the war swiftly (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that Trump believed he could end the Ukraine-Russia war within 24 hours is substantiated by multiple instances where he explicitly stated this belief. His comments were made in a serious context, not as a joke, and were repeated numerous times across different platforms (source-7).

However, it is important to note that Trump's tone has evolved over time. While he initially expressed confidence in resolving the conflict quickly, more recent statements from his administration have shown a shift towards a more cautious approach, acknowledging the complexities involved in such negotiations (source-4). Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for example, remarked that no one was suggesting the conflict could be resolved in such a short timeframe, indicating a departure from Trump's earlier assertions (source-2).

Despite this shift, the original claim remains accurate as it reflects Trump's own words and beliefs during his campaign and subsequent public appearances.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Trump believed he could end the Ukraine-Russia war within 24 hours" is supported by direct quotes and multiple instances where he expressed this belief. Although his tone has shifted in light of the ongoing complexities of the conflict, the assertion accurately represents his stated intentions during his campaign.

Fact Check: Trump believed he could end the Ukraine-Russia war within 24 hours.