Fact Check: "Trump's NATO press conference exchange with Ukrainian reporter was 'very upsetting.'"
What We Know
During a press conference at the NATO summit in The Hague on June 25, 2025, President Donald Trump engaged in a notable exchange with a Ukrainian journalist. The reporter, who identified herself as working for the BBC, shared that her husband was a soldier currently fighting in Ukraine. She expressed concern about the ongoing conflict and inquired whether the U.S. would sell more anti-air missile systems to Ukraine, specifically the Patriots. Trump, noticing her emotional state, responded with empathy, stating, "I can see it is very upsetting to you" and wished her luck, saying, "Say hello to your husband" (Fox News, Mediaite).
Analysis
The claim that Trump's exchange with the Ukrainian reporter was "very upsetting" is supported by the context of the interaction. The reporter's emotional distress was evident as she spoke about her husband being in a war zone, which Trump acknowledged. His comments, including "I can see it is very upsetting to you," indicate that he recognized the emotional weight of her situation. This empathetic response was highlighted in multiple reports, reinforcing the notion that the exchange was indeed charged with emotion (Fox News, Mediaite).
The sources reporting on this event, including Fox News and Mediaite, are generally credible, with Fox News being a major news outlet and Mediaite focusing on media-related news. However, it is important to note that these sources may have varying editorial slants, which could influence the framing of the emotional aspects of the exchange. Nevertheless, the core facts of the interaction are consistent across reports.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that Trump's NATO press conference exchange with the Ukrainian reporter was "very upsetting" is True. The evidence from credible sources confirms that the reporter was visibly emotional discussing her husband's situation, and Trump acknowledged this emotional distress in his response.
