'Putin has already won': US President Donald Trump slams 'unfair media' over his meeting with Putin

Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday slammed media outlets accusing them unfair media coverage and spreading fake news.

"Very unfair media is at work on my meeting with Putin. Constantly quoting fired losers and really dumb people like John Bolton, who just said that, even though the meeting is on American soil, “Putin has already won.” What’s that all about? We are winning on EVERYTHING," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"The Fake News is working overtime (No tax on overtime!). If I got Moscow and Leningrad free, as part of the deal with Russia, the Fake News would say that I made a bad deal! But now they’ve been caught. Look at all of the real news that’s coming out about their CORRUPTION. They are sick and dishonest people, who probably hate our Country. But it doesn’t matter because we are winning on everything!!! MAGA," he added.

Trump’s upcoming meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday will be their first in-person encounter since Trump returned to the White House.

Trump has pledged to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine but has grown frustrated with Putin’s unwillingness to de-escalate. Putin is expected to press for peace proposals that heavily favour Moscow.

During his first term, Trump’s meetings with Putin were closely watched by senior advisers like John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and Jim Mattis—officials known for their scepticism of Moscow.

Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the only senior figure in Trump’s circle with a record of challenging Putin, but his tone has softened since joining the administration.

The Alaska meeting follows a visit to Moscow by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, a real estate associate with no prior diplomatic experience.

Witkoff has been criticized for meeting Putin without other US officials present and for echoing Kremlin talking points afterward. His appointment has fuelled criticism that Trump is relying on personal channels rather than structured diplomacy.