Three different remarks increased the tension prior to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s meeting with the U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. During an interview with FOX TV, Erdoğan challenged Trump’s main motto that he ended seven wars.
Erdoğan, speaking with host Bret Baier, was asked about how the wars in Gaza and Ukraine might end. In response, he cited Trump’s past promises to end both conflicts and questioned their outcomes. “President Trump said, ‘I will end the Russia-Ukraine war.’ Did it end? It’s still ongoing. Similarly, he said, ‘I will end the Gaza war.’ Did it end? No. Once you're involved, there are costs to pay. And now, even the prisoner swap talks have stalled,” Erdoğan said.
Turkey’s Communications Directorate said the interview’s English translation did not accurately reflect Erdoğan’s intent. The statement said Erdoğan had emphasized the difficulty and cost of ending wars and expressed appreciation for Trump’s efforts.
However, Fox News maintained that its translation was accurate.
Hours before the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that leaders of many countries, including Turkey, begged to come to the White House and meet with Trump. “The truth is, we still have meetings going on today, and leaders are practically begging to be part of them. They call us asking to be included, to be given a five-minute handshake opportunity,” he said.
GIVING LEGITIMACY TO ERDOĞAN
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said the key to improving U.S.-Turkey relations lies in granting Erdoğan “legitimacy,” during remarks at the Concordia Summit alongside real estate developer Steve Witkoff, prior to the meeting of the two heads of state.
Speaking on persistent challenges in the bilateral relationship, Barrack said that much of the discourse around Turkey within U.S. policy circles and media remains rooted in misunderstandings. “Everything is misunderstood,” he said, referring to long-standing disputes over the S-400 missile system, F-35 and F-16 fighter jet sales, Halkbank and Turkey’s ties with Russia and groups like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Barrack emphasized that traditional policy tools are insufficient for resolving the friction. Instead, he said, the Trump administration is considering a bolder move. “So … our president says, ‘You know what? I'm tired of all of this. Let's take a bold move and on a relationship to relationship base, give them what they need.’ …, what is that? He says, legitimacy. Right? I never forget. He's so smart because it's not about lines.”
He also underlined again that the issue was not about S-400 or F-16s but about giving legitimacy, adding that Erdoğan is 71 years old.
REACTIONS FROM OPPOSITION
CHP MP Oğuz Kaan Salıcı called the remarks by Rubio diplomatically rude, saying, “This is absolutely unacceptable. While Erdoğan is in the U.S., he should take a stand against these words.”
Gelecek Party Chair Ahmet Davutoğlu also criticized Rubio, emphasizing that the Turkish president would not beg anyone for an appointment.
CHP Deputy Chair Namık Tan berated Erdoğan. He asked, “As a world leader delivering impassioned speeches at the UN podium, will Erdoğan be able to respond to Rubio, or will he swallow these shameful words?”
