MAGA Divided as Trump Turns on Putin

 

Trump's Patience with Putin Wears Thin Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict

Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump’s pledge to quickly end the war in Ukraine has shaped much of the Republican foreign policy platform. But in the wake of a devastating Russian missile assault that killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more, Trump has shifted sharply in tone—openly criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I’m not happy with what Putin is doing,” Trump said on Sunday. “He’s killing a lot of people. I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin.”

This shift has unsettled Trump’s base. The Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement now appears split: some demand tougher action—including sanctions on Moscow and greater U.S. military aid to Ukraine—while others insist Trump is either being misled or not fully informed. However, criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains a common thread on the right.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the conflict has continued without resolution. Trump previously claimed he would end the war within 24 hours of assuming office, but negotiations have stalled. Now, he questions Putin’s sincerity, suggesting the Russian leader may have simply been stringing him along.

Trump also reiterated his distrust of Zelensky: “He’s doing his country no favors with the way he talks. Everything out of his mouth causes problems.”

In a sign of growing division within the GOP, several prominent Republicans are calling on Trump to act decisively in response to Russia’s escalating aggression.

“I’ve had enough of Putin killing innocent people,” Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) posted on X (formerly Twitter). “President Trump—take action. AT LEAST sanctions.”

Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) echoed that sentiment, writing: “Peace talks are having zero effect on Putin. He won’t stop until he realizes he can’t win. The U.S. and our allies must arm Ukraine fully, sanction Russia to the max, and freeze $300B in Russian assets held overseas.”

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich praised Trump’s tougher tone but urged more tangible steps.

“President Trump is right to be frustrated with Putin,” he said. “Putin’s deliberate targeting of civilians for three consecutive days demands a response. U.S. military aid to Ukraine should be expanded—both in scope and in permission to strike even inside Russia. Putin will only stop if he has no other option.”

Still, not all conservatives are on board. Retired Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor, a Trump ally, said Trump had originally signaled he would cut support to Ukraine, and recent decisions contradicted that message.

“Through some bad advice, he did the opposite,” Macgregor wrote on X.

Among MAGA commentators, reactions ranged from confusion to concern.

Conservative podcaster Ben Shapiro remarked, “Zelensky has done everything the White House asked. Putin has done none of it. He’s just waiting everyone out. He’s not negotiating seriously.”

One prominent MAGA account, @HerrenPhillis, criticized Trump's awareness of recent developments. “There’s no excuse for President Trump not knowing Ukraine tried to shoot down Putin’s helicopter last week. His advisors need to wake up.”

This referred to an unconfirmed report of a Ukrainian drone strike targeting Putin’s helicopter near front-line areas. When asked, Trump said he hadn’t heard of it and speculated the incident might explain Putin’s latest escalations.

Skepticism also spread online about the timing of the attacks.

“There sure seems to be an escalation in violence just as peace talks were gaining ground,” wrote MAGA influencer @DC_Draino. “It’s almost as if the NATO war machine refuses to let the war end.”

Others framed Trump’s new stance as a show of strength.

“President Trump stuns the world by putting Vladimir Putin on notice,” posted @MAGAVoice. “Peace through strength.”

“Trump’s direct stance against Putin shows real leadership,” added commentator Noah Christopher. “Strength is the foundation of peace.”

Yet criticism of Zelensky remained persistent among Trump supporters.

“What about all the innocent people Zelensky has killed?” posted @jsherman376 in response to Grassley. “Why is that okay, Chuck?”

Trump also offered no positive words for Zelensky.

“Everything he says causes problems,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This war would never have started if I were President. This is Zelensky’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s war—not mine. I’m only trying to put out the fire.”

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed Trump’s remarks, calling them an “emotional outburst,” but acknowledged Trump’s role in facilitating earlier diplomatic efforts.

Trump expanded on his criticism in a Truth Social post: “I’ve always had a good relationship with Putin, but something has changed. He’s gone absolutely CRAZY. Missiles and drones are hitting Ukrainian cities for no reason. I’ve long said he wants all of Ukraine—and if that’s true, it will be Russia’s downfall.”

Ukrainian President Zelensky responded on Monday with a sharp rebuke.

“Only a sense of total impunity allows Russia to carry out these strikes and escalate further,” he wrote on X. “There is no real military logic—only political posturing. Putin is showing his contempt for a world that still prefers 'dialogue' over real pressure.”

He continued: “Russia must be confronted with strength—from the U.S., Europe, and all who value life. These attacks demand more sanctions, a freeze on Russian finances, and an end to its global oil trade.”

The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the attacks as “totally appalling,” promising increased pressure on Moscow. Trump, for his part, has threatened severe sanctions—but has yet to follow through.