Trump Gives Putin an Ultimatum

Plus: Supreme Court Greenlights Trump’s Education Department Purge

In Today’s BRIGHT

Trump Gives Putin an Ultimatum
The Autopen Scandal Isn’t Going Away
Homan: ICE Has Rescued 10,000 Missing Kids
Supreme Court Greenlights Trump’s Education Department Purge
Transformation Tuesday

Trump Gives Putin an Ultimatum

Ed Morrissey at Hot Air wrote that President Trump has shifted from diplomacy to confrontation in response to Russia’s continued war in Ukraine. After six months of attempting to coax Vladimir Putin into peace talks, Trump has resumed weapons shipments to Ukraine and issued a 50-day ultimatum: halt hostilities or face up to 100% U.S. tariffs. Trump also authorized NATO allies to finance and coordinate billions in U.S.-built weapons, reframing U.S. involvement as a paid supplier rather than a direct donor—appealing to his isolationist supporters.

The move includes Patriot missile systems and, for the first time under Trump, offensive weapons. Putin, known for nuclear threats under pressure, now faces a president who appears serious about enforcing deadlines—and consequences.

Morrissey concluded:

Trump won't use military action as part of his 50-day "or else," but if Putin tries military retaliation as a response, Trump will clearly react in ways that Putin can't afford. Trump's decision to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities within months of taking office again sent a very clear message that has long been absent in US policy about the consequences of fooling around for very long.

"Or else" finally means something again. Putin knows it, too.

Politico noted that the First Lady is also keeping up with what’s going on between Russia and Ukraine:

Trump is continuing to turn the screws on Putin — a far cry from the state of things following the Oval Office smackdown with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy months ago. But he’s only willing to go so far at this point. Asked how he would respond if Putin escalates, Trump said, “Don’t ask me a question like that.” Trump also described how he tells first lady Melania Trump about his “nice” phone calls with Putin, only for Melania to respond, “Really? Another city just got hit.”

RELATED: Trump vows ‘billions of dollars’ in weapons for Ukraine, 100% ‘secondary tariffs’ on Russia if no peace in 50 days (New York Post)