In what he described as "one of the great moments in the history of American diplomacy," White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller shared the behind-the-scenes details of what led to the explosive confrontation between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that shocked viewers worldwide on Friday.
The heated exchange, which occurred in the Oval Office and was broadcast globally, showed Trump and Vice President JD Vance berating Zelenskyy over his apparent lack of gratitude for American aid and his reluctance to pursue a ceasefire with Russia.
Speaking on Fox News with host Jesse Watters, Miller revealed that Zelenskyy's attitude blindsided the administration: "I don't think anybody had any idea that Zelenskyy would be so impertinent, so disrespectful, so insulting to the United States of America," Miller said. “Look, this is one of the great moments in the history of American diplomacy. The way that President Trump and JD Vance stood up for American interests on the world stage.
"Millions of American hearts swelled with overflowing pride today to watch President Trump put Zelenskyy in his place," Miller continued, highlighting what he saw as a pivotal diplomatic moment. "The way that President Trump and JD Vance stood up for American interests on the world stage. The way that President Trump defended Americans."
Related: Rubio Gives Masterclass on CNN on Why Zelenskyy Should Apologize
Miller explained that the confrontation stemmed from Zelenskyy's failure to show proper appreciation for America's substantial support of Ukraine. "The only reason that Zelenskyy has a country, that Zelenskyy is in power, is because of the United States," Miller asserted.
During the Oval Office meeting, tension erupted when Zelenskyy suggested that America would "feel it in the future" if support for Ukraine waned, prompting Trump to erupt: "You don't know that. You don't know that. Don't tell us what we're going to feel. We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel."
Miller highlighted Americans' economic sacrifices in the Ukraine conflict: "Americans have suffered economically funding this war now for years, American security has been degraded, our stockpiles depleted, our ability to project power in other regions of the world negatively affected to protect and defend Ukraine."
The confrontation reached a boiling point when Trump accused Zelenskyy of "gambling with World War III" and Vance repeatedly demanded that the Ukrainian leader express gratitude.
"He couldn't even say thank you. Just couldn't say thank you. Thank you, America," Miller said.
One of the most contentious moments came when Zelenskyy appeared to resist Trump's calls for an immediate ceasefire. "He repeatedly rejected President Trump's statement that we should pursue a ceasefire," Miller noted. "How could you reject a ceasefire?"
“And, you know, he kept saying, Europe's doing so much more than us,” Miller added. “Well, then what do you need us for?”
Miller portrayed the confrontation as a necessary reset in America's approach to the Ukraine conflict. "President Trump is a peacemaker. He will fight for peace. He had peace for four years under his previous term. And today we saw what it's like to have a strong leader in the White House."
Join the conversation as a VIP Member