Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s ill-fated Vogue cover has come back to bite as the war of words between world leaders escalates.
Zelenskyy and his wife Olena Zelenska took heat in July 2002 after appearing in a glossy photo shoot for the glamorous magazine.
At the time, Americans were incensed that Joe Biden had just pumped $40 million dollars into Ukraine and slammed the photoshoot for being egregiously out-of-touch.
When I traveled to Kyiv to interview @olena_zelenska, I didn’t know what to expect.
This turned out to be one of the most moving assignments of my career. https://t.co/AGcn4XT9t9
— Rachel Donadio (@RachelDonadio) July 26, 2022
Fast forward to the present time where newly-elected President Donald J. Trump is openly criticizing Zelenskyy for horrendous leadership and is threatening to cut off his perpetual stream of American tax dollars. In the current light, the Vogue cover appears in even worse taste to many, including Space X CEO and DOGE head, Elon Musk.
He did this while kids are dying in trenches on the war front pic.twitter.com/NPhDz3cP46
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2025
Trump has come under fire, including from Republicans, after seemingly accusing Zelenskyy of being a “dictator without elections” and of starting the war between Ukraine and Russia. He also blasted Zelensky for losing massive amounts of U.S. tax dollars and being responsible for “millions” of unnecessary deaths.
Zelenskyy fired back and accused Trump of living in a Russian “disinformation space,” and expressed frustration over U.S.-Russia talks that exclude Ukraine. The ongoing negotiations, involving U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian officials, aim to end the war but some argue favor Moscow.
Zelenskyy met with Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, in Kyiv, but a planned press conference was canceled at Washington’s request, indicating friction.
The US delegation canceled a press conference with Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg and President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. This follows tensions as Trump labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator,” raising doubts about bilateral relations. #US #Ukraine #Diplomacy #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/UiPJ5Mx170
— Thomas MORE (@ThomaMore) February 20, 2025
Trump’s accusations enraged Democrats and those who support the ongoing war, and had X users engaged in hot debate as the re-surfaced Vogue cover once again, took center stage.
Why isn’t Zelensky’s wife in fatigues and brandishing an AK-47? This creep had single mothers training on weapons to take home with them, making them lawful targets in their own homes and wherever they carried their weapon – schools, markets, businesses, churches. He encouraged…
— Montgomery Granger (@mjgranger1) February 20, 2025
I said this at the time!! It was sick! https://t.co/PQLG9dIDfg
— leilani dowding ☮️ (@LeilaniDowding) February 20, 2025
This is a low one, Mr Elon Musk..
Zelenskyy @ZelenskyyUa has been the busiest President in the world for the past 3 yrs in service of his country..This propaganda you posted here is petty..#Damn
— Daily Justice (Nuclear ☢️ Powered) (@DailyJusticeAct) February 20, 2025
Pretty clear Elon is just a straight-up Russian asset at this point.
— Bitnik (@Bitnik9k) February 20, 2025
The heated rhetoric between the world leaders even had a Ukrainian soldier tear off the American flag from his helmet in protest of Trump’s words.
Ukrainian soldiers are now tearing American flags off their helmets, to protest Donald Trump…
— American AF (@iAnonPatriot) February 20, 2025
But, many Americans believe it shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
Good, Flag should have never been there in the first place.
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) February 20, 2025
What the hell! Why on earth would the American flag be on ANY SOLDIER other than an AMERICAN!!!
Yes, PLEASE get our flag off your uniform. You’re NOT American.
I’m disgusted that this was a thing.
This is watering down the value of our soldiers.
Get it done—rip them off.
— Kim Lehman (@KimLehman) February 20, 2025
I bet you this guy isn’t even a real Ukrainian soldier. This is a propaganda video. But boy does it make me think. Like why do they have our flag on their uniforms?
— FlyGirl (@FlyGirlaviatrix) February 20, 2025
Why did they have American flags on their helmets to begin with?
— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) February 20, 2025
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