Dave Portnoy believed earlier this week that Donald Trump has questions to answer. But there is one area of the President’s policy that doesn’t face scrutiny from the Barstool founder – his handling of the Russian-Ukraine war.
Friday’s press conference between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky deteriorated into a blistering shouting match that resulted in the US Commander-in-Chief kicking his Ukrainian counterpart out of the White House.
The tense war of words that played out inside the Oval Office Friday quickly went off the rails when Trump took offense of how Zelensky treated his vice president JD Vance, who accused the Ukrainian of being ungrateful, in front of the cameras.
Portnoy, who criticized Trump in a social media post less than 24 hours prior, changed his tune Saturday when he issued his verdict on the White House showdown.
‘It was the most surreal thing I’ve ever seen in politics,’ Portnoy began in a seven-minute-long rant posted to X.
‘It felt like I was watching Bravo TV. Just fascinating to see world leaders arguing with each other with the fate of the world and World War III in the balance.’
Barstool founder Dave Portnoy took to social media to share his verdict on President Donald Trump’s disastrous White House meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky
President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting in the Oval Office became a shouting match
Self-proclaimed ‘Davey Politics’ went on to admit that he could see both sides of the feud. He first sympathized with the devastation that has been inflicted upon Ukraine at the hands of Russia over the past three years, yet questioned the extent of the United States’ involvement.
‘As usual with issues like this, it’s a real gray area,’ he continued. ‘One of the hardest things to do in all politics is to decide when the US should intervene with money, troops, whatever. There’s morality issues, there’s safety issues. If we don’t jump in here, is it going to potentially cause issues for the United States?’
Portnoy acknowledged that Zelenksy’s country and people ‘have been ravaged by Russia’ and admitted that ‘it’s hard to not have some degree of compassion for Ukraine.’
However, he proceeded to ensure there was no doubt over his own stance on the matter. ‘But having said that, I’m on Trump’s side more than I am Zelensky’s,’ he confessed.
Portnoy, who was an ardent supporter of Trump in the buildup to November’s presidential election, claimed that the approach of Joe Biden’s previous administration – to ‘threaten’ Russia and Vladimir Putin – had failed bring an end to the war any closer.
‘It seems like it could go on forever with us footing the bill,’ he said. ‘Clearly what the old administration has done has not helped to end this conflict at all.’
Yet, Portnoy’s main issue with Zelensky appeared to be his lack of formal attire. The Ukrainian leader, who is often seen wearing casual combat clothes since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, did not wear a suit to the White House – a sign of disrespect in Portnoy’s eyes.
‘For me, this is just stupid by Zelensky,’ the Barstool Sports chief said. ‘We get you’re at war but you’re coming to meet the new administration and it’s just a sign of disrespect not to show the same level of respect to the Oval Office that Trump clearly thinks it deserves.
Portnoy took issue with Zelensky’s decision to not wear a suit to the White House
During the meeting Brian Glenn (pictured), Chief White House Correspondent Real America’s Voice, asked why Zelensky didn’t wear a suit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was criticised heavily in America for turning up to the White House in 2022 looking like a ‘strip club manager’ as he wore casual combat clothes
‘So right off the jump, it’s like, “We’re going to butt heads. I’m not going to bend the knee. I’m not going to show respect. I’m not going to say thank you for billions and billions of dollars that the United States has given us.” That would p*** me off too, if I were Trump.’
Portnoy’s focus transitioned from Zelensky to Trump’s approach to the international conflict, hailing the President for making it clear he wants diplomacy, rather than ‘vilifying’ Putin – a move he claimed was detrimental to the past administration’s attempts to bring Russia to the table and achieve peace.
‘This isn’t to take away what the Ukraine people have gone through and how awful it is to be invaded, but show some deference and some willingness to get a deal together,’ he added. ‘Show some respect for Trump and the office, this is what the American people elected, rather than coming in trying to say, “It’s my way or the highway,” which is the vibe I got from Zelensky.
‘I don’t necessarily have the answers but I think Trump and Vance handled this as well as they could. We’re not just going to get steamrolled by Zelensky at the expense of getting a deal done. If that means we have to throw a couple of flowers at Putin, then so be it.’
On Thursday night, Portnoy’s opinion of Trump had been on the other end of the spectrum. He had taken to social media to question Trump over a multitude to talking points from the week, including Andrew Tate and brother Tristan returning to the United States.
Portnoy also appeared to be unimpressed about Elon Musk’s roving role in his administration.
Less than 24 hours later, tempers flared on all sides during the Oval Office showdown.
Trump threatened to abandon Ukraine completely if Zelensky did not agree to his peace terms. He also accused Zelensky of not being grateful.
Just hours before Friday’s meeting, Portnoy had shared questions for the US president
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky departs the White House
Zelensky held his own, even showing Trump photos he brought of the devastation to his country, and arguing he had thanked the American people.
The yelling match was unlike anything ever seen publicly in the Oval Office. And it played out on TV screens across the world.
‘You’re gambling with World War III,’ Trump bellowed Zelensky at one point.
Both men were tense and on the defensive as they repeatedly tried to talk over one another. Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., seated to the side in the Oval Office, buried her face in her hands.
After the contentious meeting Trump announced he had asked Zelensky to leave.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:. ‘It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved.
‘Because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.’
After the cameras left the Oval Office, Zelensky went to a holding room in the West Wing. He and Trump did not meet again.
