Trump Erupts Over NYT, Crimea Report After Funeral

Donald Trump unleashed a lengthy and critical response on his social media platform following his attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis, targeting a New York Times report and its author, Peter Baker. The former president accused Baker of bias and inaccurate reporting regarding potential negotiations concerning Ukraine and the status of Crimea.

Trump’s post centered on a Saturday article detailing discussions where Crimea’s future emerged as a key obstacle. He vehemently objected to Baker’s suggestion that Ukraine should regain territory, including Crimea, as a condition to end the ongoing conflict, characterizing the request as “ridiculous.”

The core of Trump’s grievance stemmed from his claim that Baker and the Times afforded former President Barack Obama a pass for what he described as allowing Russia to annex Crimea in 2014 without military resistance. He asserted that Baker authored a favorable biography of Obama and never criticized his handling of the Crimean situation, contrasting this, he believes, with the scrutiny he himself receives.

“No matter what deal I make…The Failing New York Times will speak badly of it,” Trump wrote, predicting negative coverage regardless of any potential agreement. He further claimed his administration provided Ukraine with Javelin missiles while Obama only supplied “sheets,” implying a greater level of support.

Trump repeatedly distanced himself from the current conflict, labeling it “Sleepy Joe Biden’s War” and a “loser from day one.” He positioned himself as attempting to resolve a “mess” inherited from the Obama and Biden administrations. While condemning recent Russian missile strikes on civilian areas, he speculated that Vladimir Putin may be intentionally prolonging the war and suggested exploring alternative sanctions strategies, including targeting Russia’s banking sector.

The outburst underscores the continued politicization of the Ukraine conflict and Trump’s persistent efforts to frame his own actions favorably while criticizing his predecessors and the media. It’s a familiar pattern for the former president, leveraging social media to control the narrative and deflect blame. While Trump’s claims regarding Obama’s handling of Crimea and the level of aid provided to Ukraine are debatable and require further verification, the post clearly demonstrates his ongoing frustration with media coverage and his desire to present himself as a potential peacemaker.