Trump objected to Zelenskyy disrespect, White House says

President Donald Trump found the tone and body language of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy objectionable during an Oval Office meeting that exploded into a loud argument on Friday, the White House told CNBC.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said there was not a specific thing that Zelenskyy said in the Oval Office to Trump or Vice President JD Vance that the president objected to, but the tone and manner in which he said it.

Leavitt said Friday that Zelenskyy — whose country was invaded three years ago by Russia at the direction of its president, Vladimir Putin — was folding his arms, rolling his eyes and sitting in a way that indicated a lack of respect.

Leavitt also pointed out that Zelenskyy called Vance “JD,” instead of “Mr. Vice President,” during the fiery exchange, which was televised in front of reporters in the Oval Office.

The clash occurred when Zelenskyy challenged the idea that Russia could be trusted to honor the terms of any peace deal that would be reached through diplomacy. Vance then accused the Ukrainian leader of being “disrespectful” by “trying to litigate” the terms of such a deal in the Oval Office.

Press secretary Leavitt said that White House officials were also annoyed that Zelenskyy did not wear a suit during his visit Friday, which abruptly ended with a scheduled news conference and meal both canceled after the Oval Office blow-up.

When CNBC noted that the White House did not appear to have a problem with top Trump advisor Elon Musk recently appearing in the Oval Office next to the president wearing a t-shirt and a baseball cap, Leavitt said that was different because the billionaire Tesla CEO is not the leader of a “sovereign nation.”

Trump earlier Friday had greeted Zelenskyy outside the White House by saying, “Oh look, you’re all dressed up.”

During the Oval Office visit, conservative television news host Brian Glenn — the boyfriend of right-wing Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia — asked Zelenskyy, “Why don’t you wear a suit?”

“You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit,” Glenn pressed. “Do you own a suit?”

Zelenskyy, who was dressed in a black sweater bearing the national symbol of Ukraine, shot back: “I will wear a suit after this war is over.”

“Maybe something like yours,” Zelenskyy told Glenn. “Maybe better.”

During the Oval Office meeting, Vice President Vance argued that Zelenskyy should “thank” Trump for the aid the U.S. has given Ukraine to defend itself against Russia.

Zelenskyy responded that he had expressed thanks “a lot of times. Even today.”

Trump, at one point, defended Russia’s Putin againsr Zelenskyy,…