Don Trump Jr. slams Zelensky as ‘welfare queen’ after surprise US visit announced
Cami Mondeaux
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A handful of Republicans criticized Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday just hours ahead of the Ukrainian president’s addresses to the White House and Congress, where he is expected to appeal for additional military aid amid the Russian invasion.
Zelensky is expected to make the request during his surprise visit to the United States on Wednesday, his first out-of-country trip since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. The trip comes just days after the Ukrainian president hinted that he would ask for additional aid while addressing troops in Bakhmut, Ukraine.
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“We are not in an easy situation. The enemy is increasing its army. Our people are braver and need more powerful weapons,” Zelensky said, according to the Associated Press. “We will pass it on from the boys to the Congress, to the president of the United States. We are grateful for their support, but it is not enough. It is a hint — it is not enough.”
The comments prompted outcry from some Republicans who criticized Zelensky for his requests.
“Zelensky is basically an ungrateful international welfare queen,” Donald Trump Jr. tweeted on Wednesday.
Zelensky’s visit comes as Congress is pushing to pass its omnibus government funding bill by the end of this week, which includes provisions that would allocate additional military aid to Ukraine. The timing of his visit has prompted skepticism from some lawmakers, who argue the Democrats are using the opportunity to push the spending bill through Congress.
“You think it’s an accident that Zelensky is coming to Congress TODAY?” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) tweeted. “This is why we’re almost $32 trillion in debt. This is why we have a woke Defense Dept. This is why the FBI, DHS, Intel, the NIH, the EPA, & every other federal agency accumulates such raw power to trample over Americans.”
Other Republicans chimed in, denouncing the proposals for increased military spending toward Ukraine.
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“Of course the shadow president has to come to Congress and explain why he needs billions of American’s taxpayer dollars for the 51st state, Ukraine,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) in a tweet. “This is absurd. Put America First!!!”
Zelensky is expected to meet with President Joe Biden for an extended meeting on Wednesday afternoon before addressing the White House in a news conference. After that, Zelensky is scheduled to speak with Congress in a prime-time address.