President Donald Trump launched a sharp personal attack on Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut after the Democrat criticized his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The summit, held on August 15, 2025, was intended to explore a path toward ending the Russia–Ukraine war but has drawn strong reactions at home and abroad.
Murphy, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, called the talks “a disaster” and “an embarrassment for the United States,” arguing that Putin gained legitimacy without making concessions.
He later posted a clip of the interview on X, writing that Trump’s priority was keeping Putin satisfied rather than securing peace or strengthening sanctions.
Trump responded on Truth Social, insulting Murphy as “unattractive,” “stupid,” and a “lightweight.” He defended the Alaska summit, insisting that “nobody got anything” from the meeting but suggesting that progress toward peace is close.
Trump also accused critics such as Murphy and former National Security Adviser John Bolton of complicating efforts to end the war.
The Alaska summit ended without agreement on a ceasefire or new terms for Ukraine’s defense, but Trump portrayed Putin’s willingness to attend as a difficult step for Moscow.
He maintains the war can end “now,” while blaming “stupid people” in Washington for delaying peace.
The confrontation with Murphy comes ahead of another high-profile event. On Monday, Trump is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and seven European leaders at the White House.
The meeting is part of ongoing negotiations to secure a resolution to the conflict. In a Truth Social post, Trump described the gathering as a historic moment, saying, “Never had so many European leaders at one time. My great honor to host them.”
Zelenskyy has urged that any peace plan must preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and has already dismissed suggestions of ceding territory to Russia.
European leaders are expected to back Kyiv’s position while testing Trump’s willingness to commit to long-term security guarantees.
Trump, meanwhile, has suggested Zelenskyy could end the war “almost immediately” if he chose, a statement likely to intensify debate over U.S. policy in the region.