Top Fox Host Under Fire For Threat Against Trump
Fox News host Brian Kilmeade is under fire for comments that appeared to challenge President Donald Trump’s approach to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. His remarks sparked a wave of criticism online, as Trump supporters and other commentators weighed in on the controversy.
A prominent figure on America’s leading conservative cable news network, Kilmeade seemed to take a stance at odds with the Republican president, who has been in office for six weeks. Last week, Trump made headlines for his direct rebuke of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, further signaling a shift in U.S. foreign policy.
Kilmeade took to X to remind his nearly 900,000 followers of a fundamental aspect of the war: that Russia initiated the invasion in 2022 and that President Vladimir Putin is the clear aggressor—points that Trump has never outright denied.
“Can we all remember @KremlinRussia_E is the bad guy- they invaded – they kidnap kids – Whatever happens – Ukraine can not lose – eastern Europe will be next,” Kilmeade wrote, tagging Putin’s official account.
Some legacy Republicans have aligned with Kilmeade’s perspective, particularly regarding Trump’s private discussions with Putin, which notably do not involve Zelenskyy. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine is unlikely to reclaim key territories lost to Russia.
Trump’s decision to freeze all aid to Ukraine has drawn reactions from various quarters. The Kremlin, according to Newsweek, characterized the move as “probably the best contribution to peace” on Tuesday.
Kilmeade’s suggestion that Russia might expand its aggression beyond Ukraine led to strong pushback from online critics.
“Europe will be next? So they couldn’t take Kyiv, but somehow they are going to conquer all of Europe? What you are saying contradicts all reality,” wrote user Jay Hicks. Another replied with skepticism, “How is Putin going to invade Eastern Europe when after 3 years he can’t take Ukraine?”
Russia’s military has suffered heavy losses in the war, reportedly forcing the regime to recruit prisoners and rely on North Korean troops to maintain its positions. U.S. officials estimated in 2023 that Russian casualties could be as high as half a million.
Others argued that while Kilmeade may have a point regarding Russia’s future ambitions, it is no longer justified for American taxpayers to fund the ongoing conflict.
“All may be true, but not with my money anymore. Cmon Brian. You know that money isn’t going to the right places. Stop making excuses for more war,” commented Mike Sperrazza.
Another user added, “They need a peace agreement. Blindly continuing to fight and for the world to keep funding the war is going to lead to WWIII. Everyone needs to sit down and start negotiating a deal.”
Polling suggests that most Americans now support diplomatic efforts over military victories. Over seventy-two percent believe Ukraine should negotiate peace with Russia rather than attempt to win the war outright. However, fifty-nine percent of respondents oppose Trump’s strategy of negotiating directly with Russia without Ukraine’s involvement.