Kilmeade Breaks from Trump, Defends Ukraine Amid Co-Host Tensions

NEW YORK, NY — Brian Kilmeade, co-host of Fox & Friends, publicly disagreed with his pro-Trump colleagues on Tuesday regarding the United States’ support for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing aggression. Kilmeade’s remarks came during a broadcast that highlighted significant tensions within the right-wing media and GOP regarding U.S. involvement in the conflict.

Kilmeade, a longstanding supporter of former President Donald Trump, expressed clear disapproval of the notion that Ukraine should be pressured to apologize to the Trump administration for the White House’s conflicts with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Vladimir Putin is the bad guy,” Kilmeade asserted, emphasizing that the focus should remain on Moscow’s actions in the war rather than on internal U.S. politics.

His comments follow years of criticism aimed at Russia for its unprovoked invasion, where Kilmeade holds the Kremlin solely responsible for the three-year conflict. “Whatever happens—Ukraine cannot lose—eastern Europe will be next,” he warned on social media.

Kilmeade’s position starkly contrasts with that of some co-hosts, who suggested that U.S. support could be conditioned on Zelensky’s behavior. During the segment, co-host Steve Doocy stated that withholding access to the Starlink internet service provided by Elon Musk could influence Zelensky’s cooperation in negotiating with Russia.

“You’re saying we should starve Starlink,” Kilmeade retorted, underscoring his belief that threatening to cut off critical support could jeopardize Ukraine’s defenses. He raised alarms over the implications of such suggestions, reminding viewers that the stability of Eastern Europe hinges on Ukraine’s resilience.

Viewers witnessed a fierce exchange as Kilmeade challenged the notion that Zelensky is to blame for the war’s complexities. “Mr. Zelensky is probably thinking, if I don’t apologize, what’s in it for me?” he remarked, asserting that the U.S. should not pin Ukrainian struggles on diplomatic disagreements with their leadership.

Despite his disagreements with his co-hosts, Kilmeade acknowledged Trump’s role in encouraging European allies to take a firmer stance on supporting Ukraine. He revealed that while Trump’s rhetoric may shift, the imperative of confronting Putin remains constant.

As the debate escalated, co-host Lawrence Jones attempted to refocus the discussion, stating, “Just saying he’s the bad guy doesn’t end the war.” Jones emphasized that a partnership between Zelensky and the U.S. based on economic support is crucial for Ukraine’s security, reiterating the urgency of reaching diplomatic resolutions.

Further fueling the discussion, co-host Ainsley Earhardt expressed frustration over Zelensky’s perceived shift in attitude toward the U.S., noting that America has provided significant aid compared to European allies. “We have given three times more than Europe,” she stated, implying that Zelensky’s gratitude has waned.

Kilmeade responded to Earhardt’s remarks by suggesting that the fallout from the Biden administration should drive a reevaluation of media narratives regarding U.S. support. He articulated concern that withholding support would worsen the conflict, stating, “If you deny Starlink to your ally, then you are not only not providing weapons; you are letting maybe Kyiv fall.”

As the broadcast concluded, discussions surrounding the implications of U.S. support for Ukraine remain essential, particularly given the increasing geopolitical tensions in the region. If Trump returns to the White House in the future, the dynamics of U.S.-Ukraine relations will undoubtedly continue to evolve.