Donald Trump's Once 'Favorite' Newspaper Fact-Checks Him on Its Cover

The New York Post, which President Donald Trump has described as his once "favorite newspaper," fact-checked his comments about the Russia-Ukraine war on its front cover Friday.

Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Trump's latest round of comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stirred criticism, including from many Republicans. His comments are out of step with many more traditional conservatives, as well as most Americans, who view Russia as the aggressor in the nearly three-year conflict.

The Post, which has generally been a more favorable outlet to Trump—but has still criticized some of his recent moves—was among those critics who called him out over referring to Zelensky as a "dictator" and blaming Ukraine for the war. The conflict began with Russia's invasion of its neighbor on February 24, 2022, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump's comments could reflect a shift in Washington's response to the Russia-Ukraine war. He has pushed for a peace deal between the two, but Ukraine and its supporters say the U.S. shouldn't accept any deal in which Kyiv cedes any territory to Russia.

What To Know

Trump attacked Zelensky as a "Dictator without Elections" in a Truth Social post this week. He also told reporters Ukraine did not need a seat at the negotiating table because it "should've ended [the war] in three years."

"You should have never started it. You could have made a deal," Trump said.

The Post responded to his remarks on its Friday cover, which shows a photograph of Putin alongside the text, "President Trump: This is a dictator."

A blurb in the bottom right of the cover read, "It's right for President Trump to want to stop to bloodshed in Ukraine, but there are certain truths we all must remember - namely that Vladimir Putin is solely responsible for this war."

"He is the one who started it, and the one who committed unspeakable horrors," the cover reads. "Any peace that appeases Russia will not be looked on kindly by history, Post columnist Douglas Murray writes."

On Friday, Trump acknowledged Russia "attacked" Ukraine in an interview with Fox News' Brian Kilmeade.

Earlier, Trump falsely said Zelensky has a 4 percent approval rating in Ukraine and has expressed frustration with his leadership.

The question of U.S. aid to Ukraine, credited with bolstering Ukraine's stronger-than-expected response to the Russian invasion, has divided Republicans for years. While more traditional conservatives have backed Ukraine, saying it weakens Russia and strengthens U.S. national security, other conservatives have said those funds should instead be spent domestically or to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

What People Are Saying

Sarah Longwell, anti-Trump Republican strategist, on X: "Rupert, like Mitch McConnell, seems to finally be grappling with what they've enabled. If only they'd had the character to do what it took when it mattered. Now it's all too late."

NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik on X: "While tightly embracing Trump on top Fox shows, even elsewhere, the Murdochs seek to send a message to him in an outlet he has long relied on - for news and for publicity."

Zelensky said: "I would like Trump's team to be more truthful. Because all of this certainly does not have a positive impact on Ukraine. But it does help bring Putin out of isolation."

What Happens Next

Trump said he will "probably" meet Putin in Saudi Arabia in the "not-too-distant future." Bloomberg reports the meeting could occur before the end of the month.