Trump Discusses Venezuela, Ukraine Peace Talks, and National Guard Shooting

Tensions with Venezuela

• 🇺🇸 President Trump confirmed speaking with Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro but declined to share details of the call.
• 🚢 The conversation occurs amid tensions over US strikes on alleged drug boats near Venezuela.
• 🎯 Trump defended Secretary of War Pete Hegseth regarding a reported second strike on a drug boat, stating he would not have wanted such an order and that Hegseth denied issuing it.
• ✈️ Trump explained closing airspace above Venezuela by stating it's not a friendly country, but advised against reading too much into the move.

Ukraine Peace Talks

• 🕊️ President Trump expressed a hopeful tone regarding peace talks between the US and Ukraine, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
• 🤝 While calling the session productive, Rubio noted challenges remain in ending the war and securing Ukraine's future.
• 🗣️ Trump is in touch with US officials involved and believes the talks are going well, though he finds accusations of corruption in Ukraine unhelpful.
• 💔 He stated a desire to stop the killing and save lives, lamenting the 27,000 deaths in the war.
• 🇷🇺 Trump expects special envoy Steve Witoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week.

National Guard Shooting Update

• 😔 President Trump confirmed he has spoken with the families of the two National Guard members who were shot.
• 💔 He described the families as devastated and relayed that one member is deceased, while the other, Andrew, is fighting for his life.
• 🙏 Trump shared that Andrew's parents are praying for his recovery and have accepted the White House invitation to visit when ready.