JD Crowe: Trump Zelenskyy meeting was a masterclass in gaslighting
This is an opinion cartoon.
“If Russia ceases combat operations, the war is over. If Ukraine ceases combat operations, Ukraine is over.” – Adam Kinzinger
Yes, it was a hot mess of bullying, chaos and confusion. But Friday’s shameful Trump/Zelenskyy reality TV Oval Office meeting went perfectly! And according to plan.
Putin’s plan.
Punch-me-face VP Vance had a week to apply his mascara and practice his lines for this moment on the golden couch he had to share with speechless little Marco Rubio.
I’ve made this point many times: Trump is the ultimate narcissistic gaslighter-in chief.
I posted a version of this cartoon on Facebook and other social media platforms last Friday night.
Former Alabama senator: Trump berating Zelenskyy one of US history’s ‘most embarrassing, pathetic episodes’
Speaking of gaslighting, this ChatGPT analysis about the Trump Zelenskyy meeting has been making the rounds on social media. Maybe you’ve seen it.
I’m not a big fan of AI. Not yet. But one time, at cartoonist camp … never mind.
See what you think:
1. Blaming the victim for their own situation
Trump explicitly tells Zelenskyy: “You have allowed yourself to be in a very bad position.” This is classic abuser rhetoric—blaming the victim for their suffering. The implication is that Ukraine itself is responsible for being occupied by Russia and for the deaths of its people.
2. Pressure and coercion into ‘gratitude’
Vance demands that Zelenskyy say “thank you.”
3. Manipulating the concept of ‘peace’
Trump claims that Zelenskyy is “not ready for peace.” However, what he actually means is Ukraine’s capitulation. This is a classic manipulation technique—substituting the idea of a just peace with the notion of surrender.
4. Refusing to acknowledge the reality of war
Trump repeatedly insists that Zelenskyy has “no cards to play” and that “without us, you have nothing.” This is yet another abusive tactic—undermining the victim’s efforts by asserting that they are powerless without the mercy of their ‘saviour.’
5. Devaluing the victims of war
“If you get a ceasefire, you must accept it so that bullets stop flying and your people stop dying,” Trump says. Yet, he ignores the fact that a ceasefire without guarantees is merely an opportunity for Russia to regroup and strike again.
6. Dominance tactics
Trump constantly interrupts Zelenskyy, cutting him off: “No, no, you’ve already said enough,” and “You’re not in a position to dictate to us.”
7. Forcing capitulation under the guise of ‘diplomacy’
8. Projection and distortion of reality
Trump declares: “You are playing with the lives of millions of people.” Yet, in reality, it is he who is doing exactly that—shifting responsibility onto Zelenskyy.
9. Creating the illusion that Ukraine ‘owes’ the US
10. Undermining Ukraine’s resistance
Trump states that “if it weren’t for our weapons, this war would have ended in two weeks.” This is an attempt to erase Ukraine’s achievements and portray its efforts as entirely dependent on US support.
We’re all just trying to figure how to cope with this upside-down Trumpy world of lies, chaos and confusion. Did we wake up in Russia? Lordy. God help us.
Love y’all. Hang in there.
True stories and stuff by JD Crowe
The mysterious ‘Bubble Guy’ of Fairhope and the art of bubble Zen – al.com
Robert Plant head-butted me. Thanks, David Coverdale
I was ZZ Top’s drummer for a night and got kidnapped by groupies
Check out more cartoons and stuff by JD Crowe
JD Crowe is the cartoonist for AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler at [email protected].