The US president has compared the Ukrainian leader to circus pioneer P.T. Barnum Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky at an event in Kiev on February 24, 2026. © Paula Bronstein / Getty Images US President Donald Trump has likened Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to 19th-century showman and hoaxer P. T. Barnum. Trump made the remarks on Tuesday while criticizing his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, for providing unconditional military aid to Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that US munitions stockpiles have “never been higher or better,” apparently responding to reports questioning whether the US can sustain a prolonged war with Iran. “Sleepy Joe Biden spent all of his time, and our Country’s money, GIVING everything to P.T. Barnum (Zelenskyy!) of Ukraine – Hundreds of Billions of Dollars worth – And, while he gave so much of the super high end away (FREE!), he didn’t bother to replace it. Fortunately, I rebuilt the military in my first term, and continue to do so,” Trump wrote. READ MORE: Kiev concerned Iran war could cause crucial ammo shortages Trump had previously dubbed Zelensky, a former comedian, actor, and TV producer, “the greatest salesman on Earth,” who knows how to convince people to open their wallets better than Barnum did. Barnum relied on flashy publicity stunts, hoaxes, and outright false advertising to lure the public to his traveling circus and other shows. Russia has accused Zelensky and his team of disseminating hoaxes in the Western media and attempting to derail or stall US-mediated peace negotiations.
