Trump Gives Worrying Blunt Response When Asked If He Trusts Putin

Donald Trump recently gave a stark response when asked if he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, “I trust almost nobody, to be honest with you.” His remarks have sparked concern given the tense history between the two leaders.

Trump and Putin’s relationship has seen ups and downs since Trump’s first presidency began in 2016. When Trump returned to office in 2025, he claimed he could end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours—a promise still unfulfilled over a year later.

Though he initially pushed for peace, Trump has since threatened Russia with “very severe” tariffs if a deal with Ukraine isn’t reached soon. Speaking to the BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue, Trump said their talks seemed promising, only for Putin to “knock down a building in Kyiv” shortly after.

When asked if his recent assassination attempt had changed his view of Putin, Trump deflected, saying he doesn’t dwell on it because it could be life-altering. However, he admitted to being “disappointed” in Putin.

During a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump repeated that he was “very unhappy” with Russia and warned of harsh penalties if no peace deal is in place within 50 days.

He added that secondary sanctions—targeting countries purchasing Russian oil—would be imposed, which could significantly impact trade with nations like China, India, and Germany.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that Trump’s focus is on economic penalties against countries supporting Russian petroleum, not direct tariffs on Russian goods.