Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Responds to Reporter Who Once ‘Attacked’ Him for Not Wearing a Suit at the White House – Video

Just months after being questioned over his choice of attire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a quick, humorous comeback to Real America’s Voice reporter Brian Glenn during a press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House — and the exchange is now making waves on social media.

The moment brought renewed attention to an earlier exchange between the two. On February 28, 2025, during Zelenskyy’s visit to the Oval Office, Glenn sharply criticized the Ukrainian leader’s outfit.

“You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit,” said Glenn. At the time, Glenn — dressed in a navy blue suit — stood among fellow reporters facing the two presidents.

Glenn followed up by asking if Zelenskyy even owned a suit and claimed that many Americans viewed his casual attire as disrespectful to the office, referring specifically to the White House.

Zelenskyy responded directly to the criticism. “I will wear a costume after this war will finish [sic]. Maybe something like yours, yes? Maybe something better, I don’t know. We will see,” he said to Glenn.

Several months later, during another meeting at the White House on August 18, Zelenskyy and Glenn crossed paths again.

Glenn greeted Zelenskyy by saying, “You look fabulous in that suit,” referring to his all black outfit. Trump, seated nearby, quipped, “He’s the one that attacked you last time.”

Zelenskyy smiled and said he remembered the journalist. Glenn continued, “I apologize to you, you look wonderful.” The Ukrainian official, still in good spirits, pointed at him and replied with a light tone, “You’re in the same suit…You see, I changed. You did not.”

The moment was widely shared online and quickly drew reactions across platforms.

Under a video of the exchange posted by TRT World on Facebook, several viewers shared their thoughts on Zelenskyy’s handling of the moment.

One viewer commented, “His sense of humor is good…” while another labeled the moment, “Embarrassing.” A third said, “Zelensky [sic] you look good in anything you wear. A very attractive man.”

More online reactions poured in under the Yahoo! News Facebook page. “This is so petty,” someone else remarked, followed by another viewer’s sarcastic comment, “First rate [sic] journalist right there 🙄.” Meanwhile, a supporter praised Zelenskyy’s response, “‘You’re in the same suit’… epic comeback.”

Over on Instagram, viewers also weighed in. One wrote, “This was another embarrassing moment for the administration.” Some defended Zelenskyy’s appearance, “No matter what he wears – it’s fine. He doesn’t need a suit …. He looked fine and comfortable the way he wants to.” Another added, “At least he apologized, better than nothing.”

The discussion around Zelenskyy’s wardrobe extended beyond social media. Ahead of the August 18 meeting, Ukrainian designer Elvira Gasanova, who has previously worked with Zelenskyy, said she expected him to choose a more formal outfit in response to recent criticism.

She believed he would avoid wearing a polo and instead opt for a black military-style suit or similar attire. Gasanova also clarified that he does not work with a personal designer and suggested that his appearance would be more serious this time, though likely less symbolic than in the past.

While designers have commented on Zelenskyy’s appearance from a style perspective, others see his clothing as deeply symbolic. According to Ukrainian war journalist Illia Ponomarenko, Zelenskyy’s choice of attire reflects the country’s wartime reality and the identity of those actively involved in the conflict.

Ponomarenko described Zelenskyy’s outfit as a soft, anti-elitist message. “Even when he meets with kings, he dresses in a way that represents the average Ukrainian involved in this war effort. So it’s a message to say, ‘I’ve come to the corners of power as a representative of my humble people,'” he shared.

Before his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump drew attention online over his gait, sparking concern and speculation.

On August 15, Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. As he walked down the red carpet to greet Putin, observers zoomed in on his walking style.

A side-by-side video showed Trump and Putin descending the stairs from their respective planes, with Trump reaching the ground first while Putin was still on the steps. Once on the red carpet, Trump shifted from walking in a straight line to moving in a zigzag pattern.

This change raised concerns among online users who quickly shared their perspectives. One viewer couldn’t get past his stride, exclaiming, “Oh man – that walk!” Another person questioned it outright, “Why can’t he walk straight?!”

Someone else shared a more detailed observation, “Very strange that donald trump cannot walk in a straight line. he was clearly struggling to walk, teetering back and forth as if his equilibrium is off [sic].”

Curiosity turned into a plea for answers, “Can any doctors tell me. Why is Trump struggling to walk in a straight line?” Others took a closer look, with one netizen insisting, “Slow the video down to .25x. You can see his gait swerves. Plus, when he looks down at the carpet, he loses his balance a lot more. Trump is not well.”

Not everyone saw it as a health issue, though. One theory suggested, “President Trump is walking like that to throw off potential snipers.”

Another person expanded on that idea dramatically, “SURVIVAL: Just last year Trump was shot by an assassin and narrowly escaped a second attempt on his life two months later. The zigzag pattern is the very best way to frustrate an assassin’s bullet.”

A more strategic explanation came in, “Likely targets of long range snipers are often directed to walk in a zigzag pattern to decrease the effectiveness of future attacks.”

While many speculated about Trump’s gait, the White House said in July that he had recently been evaluated for swelling in his legs and was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the 79-year-old underwent a “comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies” conducted by the White House Medical Unit. She read from a note prepared by the president’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella.

The letter, later released publicly, explained that “bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.” The evaluation was prompted after Trump reported mild swelling in his lower legs in recent weeks.

The physician’s report emphasized there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis, arterial disease, or any abnormalities in lab results. An echocardiogram was also performed, which showed no signs of heart failure, kidney issues, or other systemic illness.

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when valves in the veins no longer function properly, allowing blood to pool. Around 150,000 people are diagnosed with the condition each year, with the risk increasing with age.

The condition can lead to swelling in the legs or ankles, varicose veins, cramping, skin changes, or discomfort. Treatment ranges from medication to, in more advanced cases, medical procedures.

Dr. Jeremy Faust, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, said the diagnosis is “basically not alarming information, and it’s not surprising.”

Faust added that it is a normal part of aging, especially in individuals who fall within the overweight to obese range. However, he noted that such symptoms should always be evaluated to rule out more serious conditions, which in Trump’s case was done.

Furthermore, Cardiologist Dr. Bernard Ashby noted that chronic venous insufficiency can sometimes be connected to underlying issues, such as elevated heart pressure or sleep apnea. He emphasized that while the condition itself is often considered benign, determining its cause, which is potentially related to heart or lung pressure, is what really matters.

Trump’s medical team, he added, was “covering all their bases” by checking for heart failure and other related problems. Experts note that age, weight, and lifestyle factors also contribute to the condition.

Dr. Chris Pernell explained that chronic venous insufficiency is more likely in older adults, those who are overweight, or people who do not exercise regularly. Prolonged periods of sitting or standing can also contribute to the condition.

Pernell also pointed out that as much as the condition is not life-threatening, it can be debilitating. Despite the diagnosis, press secretary Leavitt emphasized that the president was experiencing “no discomfort.”