In an April 25, 2025 interview with Time, when asked about his previous statements saying he would end the Russia/Ukraine war on "day one" Trump responded:
Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, and you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news [unintelligible]. Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended.
When asked why the war is still going on Trump responded:
Well, I don't think it's long. I mean, look, I got here three months ago. This war has been going on for three years. It's a war that would have never happened if I was president. It's Biden's war. It's not my war. I have nothing to do with it. I would have never had this war. This war would have never happened. Putin would have never done it. This war would have never happened. Oct. 6 would have never happened. Oct. 7 would have never happened. Would have never happened. Ever. You then say, what's taking so long? Do you hear this, Steve? The war has been raging for three years. I just got here, and you say, what's taken so long?
Source:
(April 25, 2025). "Read the Full Transcript of Donald Trump's '100 Days' Interview With TIME". Time. Retrieved 2025-05-01
That same day, CNN published an article entitled "Fact check: It wasn't 'in jest.' Here are 53 times Trump said he'd end Ukraine war within 24 hours or before taking office."
Using the "Roll Call" database, the article lists 53 times (spanning March 4, 2023 through October 17, 2024) when Trump said he would in reality end the war on "day one."
At a July 7, 2023. Rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa Trump said:
Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. And: I'll get that done within 24 hours. Everyone says, 'Oh, no, you can't.' Absolutely I can. Absolutely I can.
At an August 21, 2024. Rally in Asheboro, North Carolina Trump said:
If we win, I'll get that thing settled before I take the office; I'll get it settled as president-elect, I'll get that war stopped. With Russia, yeah, we'll get that stopped. Ukraine and Russia, we're going to get it stopped, and quickly. It'll be done before I get to office.
Source:
Dale, Daniel. (April 25, 2025). "Fact check: It wasn't 'in jest.' Here are 53 times Trump said he'd end Ukraine war within 24 hours or before taking office". CNN. Retrieved 2025-05-01
Commentary:
Nothing new here, right? Everyone, even MAGA die hards know how much Trump lies and exaggerates, but to have a list of 53 times he lied regarding just this one topic makes it even more disgusting and pathetic.
Note that Trump used the words "figuratively," "exaggeration," and "jest" in the Time interview.
He's done this many, many times in the past when he's caught "red-handed" during an interview, trying to dismiss something he previously said as if he was just kidding.
His ongoing pathological lies and his disconnect from objective reality, and the fact that he was able to convince so many Americans to vote for him should be a grave concern to not only America and its citizens, but to the entire world.