Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) lauded President Donald Trump on Friday for championing America’s interests during a tense White House showdown with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, praising Trump’s rejection of what he called “global handouts” and his bold push for peace through strength. The fiery Oval Office meeting, which ended with Trump asking Zelenskyy to leave, underscored a stark shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine, earning Scott’s full-throated applause.
“Thank God President Trump is back in office,” Scott said in a statement. “He and his administration are doing an incredible job standing up for America’s best interests and fighting for our national defense, economic security, and prosperity. Gone are the days of President Biden’s weak appeasement policies. America is the greatest country in the world—no one gets to lecture our President in the Oval Office and disrespect America’s generosity.”
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Scott hailed Trump’s approach as “ushering in a new America-first era with a restoration of peace through strength,” particularly after the president canceled a planned minerals deal signing and accused Zelenskyy of undermining U.S. efforts.
The confrontation erupted when Zelenskyy challenged Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance over their ceasefire push, insisting that U.S. security guarantees were essential to any deal with Russia.
“Of course, we want to stop the war, but I want security guarantees,” Zelenskyy said, citing Ukraine’s reliance on American backing against Moscow’s aggression.
Trump shot back, “You’re gambling with World War III,” and labeled Zelenskyy’s stance “very disrespectful” to a nation that’s spent billions supporting Ukraine—figures he pegged at $350 billion, though official tallies hover near $180 billion, including loans. “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out,” Trump warned, as Vance accused Zelenskyy of ingratitude.
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The meeting, witnessed by reporters, spiraled into chaos over a rare earth minerals pact meant to deepen U.S.-Ukraine ties. Trump touted it as “very fair” and a step toward peace, but Zelenskyy’s resistance—rooted in fears of Russian unreliability—prompted Trump to scrap the signing and a joint press conference.
In a Truth Social post, Trump declared, “I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved … He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Scott seized on the clash to blast past policies and Zelenskyy’s defiance. “President Trump is making it clear the international community must do their fair share instead of solely relying on American taxpayers to foot the bill,” he said, aligning with Trump’s ultimatum that Ukraine negotiate or lose U.S. support.
The senator’s praise reflects a broader GOP pivot, with Trump’s team framing the minerals deal as a way to offset aid costs—a plan now in limbo after Zelenskyy’s exit.
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The fallout has jolted U.S.-Ukraine relations, with Trump’s post-meeting ejection of Zelenskyy—reportedly at Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s urging—casting doubt on future aid. Earlier Friday, bipartisan senators had reaffirmed support for Kyiv, but Scott’s comments signal a hardening America First stance.
As Trump pushes for a ceasefire without “advantage,” Scott’s backing underscores a tectonic shift: no more blank checks, only deals that put the U.S. first. Whether Ukraine bends or breaks under that pressure remains the looming question.
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