Trump says people called to apologize to ‘President Trump’

Good news first, because there is some: Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old former teacher held by Russia for more than four years on mercenary charges, is out and heading home. Nobody here is joking about that.

We’re joking about the victory lap. Wednesday at 6:37am, Donald Trump posted that Hubbard was freed “at the request of President Donald J. Trump,” that Russia asked for nothing “out of respect for President Trump,” and he closed with a quote: “‘Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back,’ stated President Trump.” A press release, about himself, in the third person, quoting himself.

Twelve minutes later, the sequel: “Numerous people, who requested that sanctions be immediately imposed on Russia, have called to apologize to President Trump.” No names. No numbers. Just the phone, ringing with remorse. Nine minutes after that: “What a difference a President makes!”

The part he left out of “nothing in return”: the same day, his envoy Steve Witkoff sat in a St. Petersburg palace and told Putin, “You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that.” Witkoff also passed on Trump’s thanks for a deal to resume Russian diesel exports to the U.S. That deal came after Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel. So the people supposedly calling to apologize for wanting sanctions were apologizing to the man who had just lifted some.