During a high-profile peace summit at the White House, European leaders gathered with U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to address the war in Ukraine. The moment was meant for unity—but Trump turned it into a spectacle.
Mid–photo op, Trump interrupted proceedings to fawn over his own “heroic” painting—depicting himself raising a defiant fist after surviving an assassination attempt—and brandished a bright red “Four More Years” hat, explicitly invoking a third term of office, despite the constitutional impossibility.
On social media, Americans didn’t hold back. Comments poured in: “What an embarrassing joke,” “like a kid showing his toys to his friends,” and “nauseatingly embarrassing.” Many criticized his behavior as childish and tone-deaf during a serious diplomatic gathering.
The painting replaced a portrait of Barack Obama in the room—moving even George W. Bush’s picture. Guests like Macron and Zelenskyy were clearly unsettled by the self-centered theatrics, meant to dominate rather than unite.
In a summit that should’ve focused on peace and diplomacy, Trump made it all about Trump—and Americans watching found the display deeply cringeworthy.
