Russian-backed online accounts have launched a wave of attacks against U.S. President Donald Trump after he publicly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine. The backlash comes after Trump, once known for his warmer stance toward Moscow, took an unexpectedly harsh tone toward Putin, calling him “absolutely CRAZY” and blaming him for the ongoing destruction in Ukraine.
Since Trump’s comments appeared on his Truth Social account on Sunday, close to 1,000 derogatory posts targeting him have surfaced on VKontakte, Russia’s most popular social media platform. These posts, reportedly generated by bots linked to pro-Kremlin networks, mark a stark departure from the restrained tone previously used by Russian-aligned sources when discussing the American president.
Trump Condemns Putin’s Escalation in Ukraine
Trump’s scathing comments were triggered by one of the most intense waves of Russian missile and drone strikes since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Expressing disbelief at Putin’s actions, Trump wrote that missiles were raining down on Ukrainian cities “for no reason whatsoever,” and that the Russian leader was “needlessly killing a lot of people.”
“I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin,” Trump told reporters, adding, “He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t like it at all.”
Trump also suggested Putin’s ambition extended beyond controlling parts of Ukraine, warning that if he sought to take over the entire country, it could bring about Russia’s downfall.
Sharing the Blame: Zelensky and Biden Also Targeted
Trump didn’t limit his criticism to Putin. In a lengthy social media post, he also blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden for the prolonged war. Calling the conflict “Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s war — not Trump’s,” the U.S. president asserted that it never would have happened under his leadership.
He accused Zelensky of making inflammatory statements and claimed that his rhetoric was adding fuel to the fire. “Everything out of his mouth causes problems,” Trump wrote, warning that such language needed to stop for peace to be achievable.
Reiterating one of his frequent campaign pledges, Trump insisted he could end the war within 24 hours if re-elected.
Pro-Kremlin Bots Turn Hostile
In Russia’s online sphere, where Trump had previously enjoyed relative protection or neutrality, the mood shifted quickly after his comments. A spokesperson from Botnadzor, a Russian project tracking digital propaganda, confirmed a noticeable change in tone among pro-Kremlin bots.
The bots unleashed a flood of insults against Trump, accusing him of having lost his mind, calling him a “clown,” and mocking him as a “showman.” Some used Russian idioms, suggesting Trump was “trying to sit on two chairs”—an expression used to criticize someone who wants to appease both sides at once.
Other posts claimed Trump was suffering from dementia and poked fun at his age and behavior. “Apparently, dementia comes as a hereditary gift for all U.S. presidents — along with the presidential chair,” read one particularly harsh message.
Kremlin’s Official Response: Downplay and Diplomacy
Despite the bot attacks, the Kremlin itself offered a more diplomatic response. On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov played down Trump’s comments, attributing them to “emotional overstrain.” He acknowledged the tense environment and hinted that such outbursts might stem from the high stakes involved in peace negotiations.
“We are really grateful to the Americans and to President Trump personally for their assistance in organizing and launching this negotiation process,” Peskov told reporters, referencing Trump’s efforts to reinitiate talks between Moscow and Kyiv.
Renewed Push for Peace Talks
According to Trump, a recent call with Putin ended on good terms and helped pave the way for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to resume. He suggested that diplomacy was underway again, although he declined to share further details when asked by reporters.
Trump has long promised that his return to office would bring a swift end to the war, though critics argue he has yet to present a clear strategy for achieving that goal.
Zelensky Calls for Stronger Measures Against Russia
Meanwhile, President Zelensky continues to urge the U.S. and European allies to tighten sanctions against Russia. Specifically, he has called for expanded restrictions on Russian oil exports, arguing that only pressure and force will stop Moscow’s aggression.
His appeal comes as Ukraine faces a renewed barrage of airstrikes, further damaging its infrastructure and threatening civilian lives.
The sudden turn in pro-Kremlin rhetoric toward Trump suggests a crack in what once appeared to be a stable, if unconventional, rapport. While Trump has long emphasized his ability to maintain strong relations with Putin, his recent remarks have seemingly crossed a line for Russian propaganda machines.
