Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Donald Trump Jr under fire for lewd meme of Zelensky and Pelosi after DC visit

Former president’s son posted fake image after Ukrainian leader received rapturous reception from US lawmakers

Graeme Massie
Los Angeles
Friday 23 December 2022 13:22 EST
Comments
Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert refuse to stand or applaud Zelensky

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Donald Trump Jr has come under fire for posting a lewd meme of Volodymyr Zelensky and Nancy Pelosi after the Ukrainian president’s visit to Washington DC.

The one-term president’s son mocked the Ukrainian leader, whom his father was impeached for trying to extort for information about Joe Biden, with the fake image on Instagram.

The sophomoric meme featured a woman dressed in just underwear with the House speaker’s head superimposed on the body standing next to Mr Zelensky.

“See that wasn’t so bad. Now let’s get you that $47 billion,” the caption read.

Mr Trump posted the image after Mr Zelensky received a rapturous reception for his address to a joint session of Congress earlier this week.

It came after he branded the Ukrainian leader as an “ungrateful international welfare queen.”

The post again highlights opposition from the pro-Russian MAGA wing of the Republican Party, members of which have said that the US should not help Ukraine fight off Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the country.

Far right-wing Republicans Lauren Boebert and Matt Gaetz refused to stand for Mr Zelensky, while Tucker Carlson on Fox News said that the wartime leader had dressed “like the manager of a strip club” in his fatigues.

“What a disrespect to any woman even though is a meme… no wonder… it is what you have learned at home from your dad,” wrote one person in the comments to Don Jr’s post.

And another user added: “Totally inappropriate meme. I normally support Trump, but this time you went too far. That’s disgusting.”

“So you want no support for Ukraine – got it. Vlad would be proud,” wrote another.

And someone else commented: “Your love of Putin is obvious.”

“It’s funny to watch your jealousy over the love and adoration so many have for Zelenskyy. He’s class, courage and an all around good human being, which no one would ever say about a Trump,” wrote another.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in