Zelenskyy Challenges Trump To Visit Ukraine

I fear this won’t get the attention it should so I’m doing what I can to spread the word. Frankly, I doubt that the powers that be in the executive suites at news organizations in this country will let their journalists press Trump on this. But Trump SHOULD be challenged on it and in more than one way.

Trump famously stated he could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. Of course, as is so often the case with a bold Trump claim (remember health care?) he has no details to offer. Well, as this NBC report indicates Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy appeared in an exclusive interview on Meet the Press and invited Trump to come to Ukraine. The discussion naturally got into what might happen if Trump were to be elected in 2024 and his claim of being able to end the war in 24 hours. Zelenskyy as you might imagine has his doubts about that. I’m sure like everyone else he’d like some details on just how Trump would accomplish such an audacious task. He went on to mention President Biden had visited his country, as have other leaders and even some of our Presidential candidates. He went on to say Trump was welcome to do so as well. Then he flat-out challenged/contradicted Trump:

“If he can come here, I will need 24 minutes — yes, 24 minutes. Not more. Yes. Not more — 24 minutes to explain [to] President Trump that he can’t manage this war” in that time frame, Zelenskyy said. “He can’t bring peace because of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin.”

Zelenskyy went on to say he couldn’t be certain that (if again President) Trump would have his (and Ukraine’s) back which when I read that part I thought “Well DUH!” Frankly, Trump’s “plan” would be to tell Russia it can have whatever it wants, block all aid to Ukraine and do everything he could to not just weaken NATO but to destroy it. Should he somehow manage to get back into the WH that would mean he’d likely have a Congress that wouldn’t stop him from withdrawing the U.S. from that and other alliances with free nations in the world.

The linked article goes on to note Zelenskyy’s understanding of U.S. (and European Union too) politics, and that support for his country depends not just on the leaders but of the people who elect them. That’s where my concern comes in. There is still strong bi-partisan support for Ukraine in both the Senate and House but it’s not as strong as it once was. Trump supports Putin/Russia and that means cutting Ukraine off at the knees. MAGA cult members will follow their cult leader. Other Republicans including elected ones are fearful of Trump/MAGA going after them. And increasingly their families.

So what will journalists do? Or be allowed to do? Will they be allowed by the bosses (for those inclined to do so) to start directly questioning Trump about whether he’ll go to Ukraine like Biden (and others) have done? And if not then why not? Hit him where it hurts – by asking if he’s afraid to visit an active war zone! Confront him on his “bigly” PLAN to end the war. Challenge him by getting in his face and saying if it’s so great and foolproof he’ll get credit for ending the war whether he’s President or not.

PUT  HIM  ON  THE  SPOT!

Trump will duck and weave and try to avoid such questions so the coverage SHOULD turn mocking in tone. And the point “Since others including President Biden have gone to Ukraine why is Trump afraid to do so?” should be made. Repeatedly. On multiple networks and in multiple major publications.

Of course, journalists are highly unlikely to do that. Even for the “talent” inclined to do so their bosses might say no. But maybe I’m not the only nobody blogger out there who thinks the way I do, and even if this doesn’t get widely read and shared enough others who think as I do speak up on their own forums it might reach a critical mass that forces journalists to at least make more than a token effort to hold Trump’s feet to the fire on this.