Senate GOP Leader Shrivels When Asked About Trump’s ‘Dictator’ Comment: ‘The President Speaks for Himself’

Sen. Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) wanted no part of a question about President Donald Trump referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “a dictator.”

The remark came amid talks between the U.S. and Russia on ending the latter’s war of aggression in Ukraine launched in February 2022.

“A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday, alluding to the fact that martial law is in effect in Ukraine, meaning that elections cannot be held. The day before, Trump bizarrely blamed Zelensky for the war.

During Wednesday’s press conference by Senate Republican leadership, CNN’s Manu Raju asked Thune about the president assigning blame to Ukraine.

“Are you at all concerned about the president’s rhetoric blaming Ukraine for starting a war and calling for elections in Ukraine, which is what Vladimir Putin is calling?” he asked, while also noting Thune has supported aid to Ukraine amid the ongoing war.

“I think what I’m in support of is a peaceful outcome and result in Ukraine,” Thune replied while dodging the question. “And I think right now the administration, the president, and his team are working to achieve that.”

Another reporter asked the majority leader about Trump’s dictator comment.

“Would you call Ukrainian President Zelensky a dictator, as President Trump has?” she asked.

“Well, I, like I said, the president speaks for himself,” Thune replied. “What I want to see is a peaceful result, a peaceful outcome. And I think right now there’s a negotiation going on. And let’s see where that ultimately leads. Hopefully, we’ll get to the outcome we all want to see.”

Watch above via C-SPAN.